Underwater "Handsome Squidward" Statue Erected in Greece to Baffle Future Archaeologists
GREECE — Imagine thousands of years in the future, underwater archaeologists discover a majestic, ancient-looking bronze statue submerged on the seabed. As they brush away the algae, they realize it isn't an ancient god, but a muscular, chisel-jawed caricature: Handsome Squidward from SpongeBob SquarePants.
While it sounds like a plot from a comedy series, Seattle-based artist and YouTuber Sunday Nobody made this bizarre vision a reality.
A $25,000, 500-Kilogram Modern Myth
The creator spent around $25,000 to construct a nearly three-meter-tall bronze sculpture weighing roughly 500 kilograms. The statue masterfully fuses two pop-culture and art icons: the famous, muscular face of Handsome Squidward and the pose of the Discobolus, a iconic ancient Greek athletics sculpture dating back to the 5th century BC.
The underlying motivation? "To confuse future archaeologists," according to Sunday Nobody. To ensure the piece would survive centuries under the sea, he even consulted a university archaeologist to select materials capable of enduring long-term underwater exposure.
The Secret Deep-Sea Mission
Once completed, the massive statue was transported to the Halkidiki Peninsula in Greece. Alongside a small team, the artist ferried the sculpture offshore using inflatable rafts before carefully sinking it about nine meters below the surface. According to reports, the statue settled completely upright on the seabed.
Under Investigation: Legal Troubles Ahead
However, the viral stunt quickly hit a snag with local authorities. Greek officials clarified that the installation was carried out without the required legal permits. Consequently, the Greek Coast Guard has launched an official investigation into the unauthorized underwater placement.
Will It Actually Fool the Future?
Internet commentators have pointed out that because our modern era is heavily documented online, future researchers will likely figure out the prank in seconds.
Yet, as the creator hinted, the project was never purely about deception—it was about absurdism, internet humor, and leaving behind a memorable monument to human weirdness. Whether the statue remains beneath the waves or gets removed by authorities, it leaves us with one amusing question: “What on earth were we thinking?”
