A familiar face has resurfaced from the ruins of an ancient Greek city in Italy.
Archaeologists in Sicily have discovered what they believe to be an ancient Roman mask mould depicting the iconic Medusa.
The finding sheds light on the intersectionality of spiritual and cultural life in ancient Rome.
The mask mould discovered in Sicily.© Finziade Project / Parco Archeologico e Paesaggistico della Valle dei Templi
By applying material to the cast, it was molded, taking on the shape of the matrix!
A matrix is a kind of mould.
According to Greek mythology,Medusahad snakes instead of hair and a (literally) petrifying gaze.
© Parco Archeologico e Paesaggistico della Valle dei Templi
The Greek hero beheaded Medusa and afterwards continued to use the severed head to turn his enemies to stone.
As a consequence, the artifact highlights the significant overlap between spirituality and culture in ancient Rome.
It also sheds light on the artisanal productions and symbolic culture of ancient Finziade.
No archaeologists were petrified in the excavation of this artifact.
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Apparently, it did not.
