Repatriation of Ancient Capstone to Greece
A fragment of a capstone from the Leonidaion of Ancient Olympia, removed illegally in the 1960s, has been returned to Greek authorities from Münster, Germany.
The capstone, made of limestone with plaster in some areas, measures 24 cm in height and 33.5 cm in width, displaying stylistic similarities with Ionic capitals from Ancient Olympia.
The Leonidaion, named after its donor Leonides from Naxos, is situated outside the Althea in the southwestern part of the Olympia sanctuary.
The repatriation was carried out by a German woman who had owned the capstone since the 1960s, after it was recovered from the Leonidaion site during a visit.
The return of the capstone was facilitated at the Conference Centro of Ancient Olympia, as announced by the Ministry of Culture.
Author's summary: Ancient capstone returned to Greece.