They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes there is more to a photo than what you see. This is Behind The Photo where we explore the story behind the shot, from why we took the picture to interesting history and tidbits of the subject.

Caryatids at the Acropolis

The Caryatids that support the roof of the Erechtheion porch at the Acropolis in Athens are certainly unique. But, they aren’t the real deal. To see the real ancient ladies you’ll have to visit a museum nearby, and one a little further away. Five of the original six are on display in the Acropolis Museum and have undergone a recent restoration. The sixth however, is located faraway in the British Museum. How did it end up there? Well, back in the day, early 1800s days, a man named Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin and British ambassador removed the statue along with other parts of the Parthenon and took them back to England. He later sold it and his collection, known as the Elgin Marbles, to the British government to help pay off debt. And so, there they remain with some controversy, in England. A lone Caryatid separated from her sisters.

Fun Fact: They may look the same, but the Caryatid statues are each slightly different.

Here’s the real one in London: