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Friday, 30th March 2007 (1923 views)

The return of a priceless gold wreath to Athens' National Archaeological Museum has prompted hopes that more treasures will find their way back to Greece.

The wreath, which dates from the fourth century BC, has gone on display at the landmark museum, as Greece's prime minister said he wanted more artefacts to be returned to what he argued were their rightful home.

Touching on the controversial Elgin marbles – which are in the British Museum and have long been contested by the Greek authorities after they were taken to the UK in the early part of the 19th century - Costas Karamanlis said he hoped the decision by other museums would set a precedent.

Speaking at a ceremony at the National Archaeological Museum, to mark the delivery of the wreath and a sixth century BC marble statue from the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, Mr Karamanlis was adamant.

"It is our urgent priority to reclaim every ancient artefact that was illegally exported to museums and collectors abroad," he said.

Many of Greece's golden treasures have been looted or take abroad since antiquity.

 

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