Archaeologists have found new images of the masks in Stratonicea

Archaeologists have discovered 10 images of theatrical masks in the Turkish region of Mugla, among the ruins of the ancient city of Stratonicea. Excavations in this place have been going on for a long time. Previously, 33 similar sculptural images were found here in several stages, which are approximately 2.2 thousand years old. Thus, the number of detected images increased to 43. These are the faces of ancient characters in plays, as well as gods and goddesses.

Now researchers are studying ancient buildings in detail. Various artifacts that are found here belong to different periods: Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine. Archaeologists hope not only to describe and catalog items. For example, the images of masks are planned to be arranged in such a way as to restore the order in which they were located thousands of years ago.

Masks surround the stage of the ancient theater. The building was intended to impress local viewers and visitors from distant cities with its splendor. The findings once again show the importance that ancient people attached to art, architecture, and beauty. Stratonikea was founded in the third century BC, the city is named after the wife of Antiochus I, daughter of the Syrian king Seleucus I, a woman named Stratonika.