The National Archaeological Museum of Athens will present to the public another item from its extensive storerooms, an unusual marble utensil whose uses are still remain unclear.

The artifact is a marble slab with a miniature model of an ancient olive press that served as cover of a box which was used to collect money, probably linked to the production of olive oil.

The unusual marble utensil was put on show last Monday and will remain on display in the museum’s Hall of the Altar (chamber 34) until January 3, according to a culture ministry press release.

The Unseen Museum is a project that allows viewers to see antiquities selected from the museum’s storerooms due to lack of space. One after the other they have emerged and have been showcased every two months.

At 13:00 on December 18 and December 20 the museum’s archaeologists will welcome visitors and talk to them about various unusual finds from antiquity and the challenges these present in interpretation. They will also inform visitors about the processes used in the production and distribution of olive oil in ancient Athens.

For information call +30 213 214 4891, or visit the museum’s website.