Three Statue-Bases recently discovered at Athens

Extract

On January 20th, and again on February 10th of this year, while digging was taking place on the property of M. Poulopoulos between Erysicthon Street and Thessalonica Street, near the ancient Ceramicus, for the construction of a shop, sections of the Themistoclean circuit wall were brought to light. Built into them were found three quadrangular bases of Pentelic marble, two of which have sculptured reliefs on three of their four sides, while the third has on its principal face alone a painted design, and inscriptions, both of which, however, have been almost completely defaced with some sharp tool.

On the upper and lower surfaces of all three bases are large ellipsoid or rectangular depressions, in the centre of each of which is a socket with lead filling, the upper one being for fixing the statue, the lower for fixing another quadrangular block to complete the basis.

These bases are now in Room A of the National Museum.