BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

Theater Masks in Turkey Point to Traveling Roman Troupe

Bible and archaeology news

Archaeologists suggest that the recent discovery of Roman-style bronze and iron theater masks in southeastern Turkey may have come from a traveling theater troupe, perhaps from as far away as Rome itself. The masks display distinctly Roman characteristics, and were discovered in an area that yields no archaeological evidence of having had a proper theater. It is unclear why the masks were left behind at Girnavaz, a site near the Syrian border that is best known for its Bronze and Iron Age occupations. The masks are the first of their type to be discovered in Turkey, but are far from the first interesting finds at Girnavaz, whose earlier discoveries attest to thousands of years of inhabitation at the site.

Photo credit: the Museum of Mardin in Ilisu Dam