A 4th-century funerary monument removed 60 years ago from the area of the old airport at the southern suburb of Elliniko was placed back in its original position by LAMDA Development, developers of The Ellinikon Project.

The stone monument is in the shape of a Greek 'pi' and had been removed in the '60s by archaeologist Vassilios Petrakos to protect it from the construction of an international airport, later replaced by the airport at Spata. It is dated to the mid-4th century BC.

Overseeing the project was architect/engineer Dimitris Korres, who applied innovative techniques to preserve the monument's integrity. 3D imaging was used to ensure the stones of the walls did not move out of place or become damaged during its transport. Preparations for the move took three months.

The monument will be part of a cultural path set within The Ellinikon urban renewal project.

According to the video below, the monument gave the name to the area, as it was referred by the Ottoman Turks as "to Elliniko".

The following video provides information on its transport (3:18 minutes):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osTQeb-QJN8
 

(File photo)