Summary The statuette is genuine work of the Middle Neolithic era in Greece the period from 5800 to 5300 BC.
ATHENS (AP) - Greek police say they have seized a statuette apparently made more than 7,000 years ago, and arrested two men who were allegedly trying to sell it for 3.5 million euros (US$4.7 million).
The suspected antiquities smugglers, both Greeks, were taken into custody in central Athens Tuesday, following a tip-off.
The intact female figure has its arms clasped at the chest, stands 30 centimeters (12 inches) high and is apparently made of marble.
A police statement Wednesday said a government archaeologist pronounced it a genuine work of the Middle Neolithic era in Greece the period from 5800 to 5300 BC.
It is unclear where the statuette came from. Greece s strict cultural heritage laws deem all antiquities found in the country to be state property.
