A significant archaeological find recently came to light on the western side of Mount Olympus, once again highlighting the rich historical and cultural heritage of the region of ancient Doliche. It is a headless marble statue of a male figure, which is associated with the Roman period.

The statue was discovered by chance at a distance of approximately five kilometers from the western side of Mount Olympus, near the ancient Acropolis of Doliche (Kastri), an area known for its temples, impressive mosaic, ancient inscriptions, and archaeological remains. The cloak worn by the figure suggests a philosopher or a person of high social status, a feature that enhances the importance of the find for the study of the ancient history of the region.

The find came to light on October 22, 2019, by a 76-year-old farmer from Kokkinogi, Elassona, while he was carrying out agricultural work in his field.

The statue was presented by Asimina Tsiaka, archaeologist of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Larissa, as a Roman statue of a draped male figure, at the 7th Conference “Archaeological Work in Thessaly and Central Greece” (June 5, 2022), the proceedings of which are currently under editing and publication.

This find contributes to shaping our understanding of ancient Doliche and the surrounding area, shedding light on aspects of its historical development during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.