After 100 years of residence in museum of Uppsala, the fragment of the unique clay seal cylinder of Asini, from the Bronze Age, returns to its birthplace in Argolis and is reunited with the fragment exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Nafplion. The fragment was handed over to the Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, by the Ambassador of Sweden to Greece, Johan Borgstam, during a special ceremony.

Tthe clay seal cylinder fragment it was found during an archaeological excavation initiated by the then Crown Prince of Sweden, Gustaf Adolf, and later King Gustaf VI Adolf. The fragment was in the possession of the Uppsala University Museum in Sweden, but the Swedish government decided to grant permission for it to be given to the Archaeological Museum of Nafplion.

In her greeting, the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni, said: “I confess that for me personally, this is a very happy moment, because we are facing not a formal and ordinary ceremony, but one that, first of all, confirms, in the best possible way, close relations that connect Greece and Sweden and in culture. Starting from the excavations of Asini, where Gustaf Adolf, the heir to the Swedish throne, participated in 1922, the Greek Archaeological Service cooperates extremely and very efficiently with the Swedish Archaeological Institute. Asini is a special place. It’s a bit hidden, but at the same time rather obvious. It reveals a very old phase of Greek civilization, 4,000 BC, at the same time, however, it is a link in the long chain of the historical duration of this civilization. This particular seal stone allowed us to see and face together, the common principles and common values ​​of the protection and management of cultural heritage. Two parts of a small monument, which, however, is very large in its meaning, are united in the original, in the land that created them, in Greece. They will remain united where the one, perfect reflection of the real was found. The visitor to Uppsala and the scholar will see essentially the same thing, what the visitor and the scholar see in the Nafplion Museum. The difference is very small. The difference is in essence, and it concerns the generosity of Uppsala University, the Swedish Archaeological Institute and the generosity of the Swedish people. The Ass King may be smiling again. For us Greeks, for me personally, this specific gesture is the visualization of a national goal, the definitive return and unification and reunification at the Acropolis Museum of the Parthenon Sculptures.”

The Ambassador of Sweden to Greece, Johan Borgstam, said: “The decision of the Swedish government to facilitate the reunification of the Asini clay seal cylinder is an excellent symbol of the long-term cooperation between Greece and Sweden. It is proof of our commitment to preserve and share Europe’s cultural heritage for future generations. The delivery and return to Greece of an object that was born in the Argolis about 4,000 years ago is a special moment for us. It’s an emotional moment for our Greek friends, but it’s also an emotional moment for us as it joins the wider debate about the unification of the objects that we believe should be exhibited in Greece.”

“I am thrilled to see this important artifact finally reunited. The clay seal cylinder is a unique and valuable piece. I am grateful to everyone who made this reunion possible. Last year we celebrated the centenary of Swedish archaeological field research in Assini. Therefore this is an important day for the Swedish Institute in Athens” said Dr. Jenny Wallensten, Director of the Swedish Archaeological Institute in Athens.

The reunification of the two fragments of the clay seal cylinder was made possible following discussions between the Gustavianum Museum, Uppsala University and the Archaeological Museum of Nafplion.

The fragment was received by the Minister of Culture and Sports, the Superintendent of Antiquities of Argos – Mycenae Alkisti Papadimitriou.