Visiting the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

During the last day of the meeting in Thessaloniki and after a mystic introduction to the ancient greek carnival, the learners were guided to the Archaeological museum of the city, the biggest in the Balcans.

Michalis Sardelis, our friend and professional guide, gave us a really representative idea on the ancient Greece and the gold of the age, concerning the short time we had to spent in the museum.

As a taste for the visit:

The Derveni Krater, the masterpiece of the Museum, was discovered in 1962 inside the cist grave B of the Derveni cemetery, along with numerous other valuable finds. It contained the remains of a cremation, with a gold coin of Philip II, a gold ring, two gold pins and a bronze, gilded wreath. The mouth of the krater was covered by a bronze strainer-like lid, which was used to strain wine. A gold myrtle wreath was placed on top of the vessel.

The Derveni Papyrus, the oldest surviving book in Europe, is one of the most treasured exhibits of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. It is also one of the rarest finds in Greece, as Greek climate does not allow for the preservation of papyri. The papyrus, which survived only because it was charred, was found in 1962 inside cist grave A of the Derveni cemetery, amid the remains of the funeral pyre.

The papyrus script dates between 340 and 320 BC, but the book it copies is in fact quite older (dating approximately around 420-410 BC). The author of the book, which deals with theology and philosophy, was most probably Euthyphron from Prospalta, a community in Attica.

For more information: Archaelogical Museum of Thessaloniki

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