Wooden idol found at well bottom

An ancient wooden sculpture of a robed man has been discovered by archaeologists exploring ancient wells uncovered by works to extend the Athens subway between the areas of Haidari and Piraeus.

The statue is headless and limbless, and measures about half a meter in length by 20 centimeters wide. The tunic wearing man appears to have been depicted in motion given the relative positions of the upper parts of his legs and arms.

The archaeologists found the wooden statue at the bottom of a muddy well located in the area of Egaleo under the station Dimotico Theatro that is currently under construction. It was found at depth of 14.17 meters below the ground (1.12 meters below sea level). The well also contained pottery shards and other metal and wooden objects which are dated at the end of Hellenistic period (100 – 86 B.C)

Together with the wooden statue, archaeologists also uncovered a portion of a marble figurine of a woman riding a deer. It is speculated that it may be a representation of the hunting goddess, Artemis.

The statue has been taken to a ministry of culture laboratory for immediate preservation work.