During rescue excavations in 2011 along the highway from modern Korinthos to Patra (‘Olympia Hodos’), part of a cemetery came to light, belonging to the ancient city of Korinthos. In Grave 160, together with a number of other offerings to the deceased, a small sized chelys was found, with its shell partly preserved, and its iron string holder complete and in its initial position on the carapace. No other parts of the instrument were recovered. The find has been restored, and is now being exhibited in the Museum of Ancient Korinthos (MK 9362).

The paper examines the instrument in all significant organological detail, and compares it with other similar recorded finds.