Marble Fragment from Acropolis Found in Elgin’s Sunk Ship

A marble fragment from the Acropolis of Athens has been recovered from the wreck of the Mentor, Lord Elgin's ship, which sank in 1802 near Kythira in the Aegean Sea. The ship was transporting sculptures from the Acropolis to the UK. Though the exact origin on the Acropolis remains uncertain, the find adds to the ongoing debate around the Elgin Marbles. The fragment, a triangular marble block called a 'drop,' measures 3.7 inches by 1.9 inches. Conservation and further analysis continue.

(Image credit: Copyright St. Kontos)

(Image credit: Nikos Stournaras)