ATHENS, Greece — Recent construction work to install natural gas pipelines at the base of the Acropolis has led to a significant archaeological discovery: an ancient marble statue of a young man, identified as being buried in a brick-lined pit in an almost upright position, as reported by Greek officials on Monday.

According to a statement from the Culture Ministry, this nude statue is reminiscent of traditional depictions of Hermes, the Greek messenger god, and it is believed to have adorned a residence belonging to a wealthy individual from Roman Athens. Despite some damage, the statue is described as being in “quite good condition,” although it is notably missing its head and has sustained a crack along its torso from ancient times. While the ministry has not specified an exact date for the statue, it suggests that it may be a Roman copy inspired by a fifth-century B.C. original.

The statue was discovered at the intersection of two contemporary streets, situated at the southern end of Acropolis Hill, mere yards away from the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. This ancient Roman concert hall, which originally had a roof, continues to host musical performances to this day.

The location where the statue was found was known for its lavish structures constructed between the first and fifth centuries A.D. These grand homes, decorated with intricate mosaics and various artworks, belonged to the affluent classes of ancient Athens. While the ministry’s announcement did not specify the exact timing of the discovery, it did confirm that the statue has been transported to a conservation workshop for further evaluation and preservation efforts.