Two ancient Greek artifacts, including one that dates as far back as the 6th century BC, will be returned to Greece by the end of the month from the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Culture Ministry said yesterday.

The private museum in Los Angeles signed over the two sculptures following pressure from Greece which says that they were illegally taken from the country.

The 6th century BC marble relief depicts two women offering gifts to a seated goddess while the 4th century BC tombstone bears the figure of a young warrior.

The two sides agreed to hold further talks in Athens on the possible return of other antiquities, according to the ministry. Talks are also expected to focus on matters on which the two parties can work together in the future.

The news comes after the museum agreed in July to return four antiquities which Greece had been contesting.