In 1820, a farmer moved stones through ruins on a windy Greek island: A buried marble figure emerged from the rubble and became one of the world’s most famous sculptures

The story of the Venus de Milo is not one of archaeological discoveries, elaborate ceremonies, or even a well-planned dig. The beginning of the discovery started with a farmer who moved stones.

In April of 1820, a local farmer on the Greek island called Melos, but more commonly known as Milos, stumbled across pieces of a statue hidden in the ruins on the Greek Aegean Island. As Britannica states, the piece was unearthed in four pieces on April 8, 1820. Back then, no one could foresee that this piece of art, which had been lying buried for years in the ruins, would go on to become one of the most iconic pieces of art.