An ancient portrait head of a bearded man, dating to around 150 AD, has been repatriated to Greece from the University Museum of Münster, Germany. This artifact, part of a funerary relief, showcases a hairstyle characteristic of Emperor Trajan's era (98-117 AD) combined with a later flat rendering of the beard. It is now permanently displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki alongside similar portraits.
During the repatriation ceremony, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni emphasized the national importance of returning antiquities belonging to Greece. She noted that the return of this specific artifact carries a unique significance, as it was voluntarily returned by the Münster museum after investigations revealed its unclear provenance prior to 1989. The museum's German archaeologists conducted modern physicochemical analyses, confirming that the marble used for the sculpture originated from Thasos, reinforcing its Greek heritage.
Mendoni remarked on the importance of genuine cooperation among museums, scientific institutions, and governmental bodies in combating the illegal trafficking of cultural goods. She expressed hope that other universities and institutions would follow Münster's example in returning cultural artifacts to their places of origin.
This bearded portrait head is the second ancient object returned to Greece from Münster, following the repatriation of a kylix in 2019, which is now exhibited at the Museum of Ancient Olympic Games in Olympia.
The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including Johannes Wessels, the rector of the University of Münster, and several officials from the Greek Ministry of Culture and the city of Thessaloniki.