The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has returned an ancient bronze griffin head to Greece, marking a significant act of cultural repatriation. The artifact, dating back to the 7th century B.C., was previously exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. Olympia, an ancient Greek city known for hosting the original Olympic Games, holds historical significance in Greek culture. The bronze griffin head had been stolen nearly a century ago, but cooperative efforts between the Greek Culture Ministry and the Met facilitated its return. The event was commemorated in a ceremony attended by Greece’s Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, who described the occasion as momentous. The ceremony coincided with the International Olympic Committee’s visit to Greece, where Kirsty Coventry was announced as the first woman and African leader of the organization.

The griffin head, a symbolic representation of strength and divine protection in ancient Greece, will now be displayed alongside a similar artifact already housed at the Olympia museum. The Met has recently expanded its efforts to investigate the origins of its collection, employing additional experts to trace item histories. The museum’s director, Max Hollein, acknowledged the institution’s ongoing partnership with the Greek government and emphasized the value of future cultural exchange. As part of this renewed cooperation, Greece has agreed to loan the griffin head back to the Met for upcoming exhibitions. This development reflects a broader trend in the museum world, where institutions are increasingly recognizing the significance of restoring cultural artifacts to their countries of origin while still ensuring international access to heritage.