Greek police recover 2 twin life-sized ancient statues, arrest 2 for illegal excavation

ATHENS, Greece – ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities say they have recovered two illegally excavated 6th century sculptural masterpieces and arrested two farmers who tried to sell them abroad for euro10 million ($12.43 million).

The twin life-sized marble figures of young men were seized in the southern Peloponnese area on Friday as the suspects were loading them into a truck, police said.

Authorities are seeking a third man suspected of belonging to an antiquities-smuggling gang that planned to spirit the 2,500-year-old works out of Greece.

Archaeologists said Tuesday the statues are "outstanding works of art" and may have come from a temple or cemetery in a lost ancient city in the Peloponnese. Both are in excellent condition, but lack sections of their lower legs.