The ruins of the ancient Greek city of Finziade in Sicily have yielded a fascinating artifact: a Roman-era mould likely used to create masks depicting the Gorgon Medusa. Unearthed by archaeologists under the direction of Roberto Sciarratta from the Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park, the mould dates back to the late Republican period (133-31 BCE). This discovery offers valuable insights into the interconnectedness of spiritual and cultural practices in ancient Roman society.
The mould’s features immediately suggest the iconic image of Medusa. It depicts a severe face framed by what appears to be thick, unruly hair. The Finziade Project, a research program overseeing the excavations and co-directed by Alessio Toscano Raffa for the Institute of Heritage Science in Catania, confirmed the artifact’s function in a Facebook post. They explained that the object is a matrix, a type of mould used in antiquity to create artifacts by applying material to the negative impression.
Medusa Mold Held Up
Medusa, a figure from Greek mythology, is famously depicted with snakes for hair and a gaze that could turn onlookers to stone. While accounts of her origins vary, Hesiod’s Theogony describes her as one of the three Gorgon sisters. Her demise at the hands of Perseus, who used her severed head as a weapon, is a central element of her myth.
This association with petrification contributed to Medusa’s frequent appearance in ancient art, including mosaics, columns, and coins. Scholars believe these depictions often served as protective amulets.
The building, designated “House 18,” where the 2,000-year-old mould was found, appears to have been repurposed as a mask-making workshop around the beginning of the first century BCE. Previous discoveries of similar artifacts in comparable contexts further support this theory and underscore the significance of mask production in the region.
Finziade, also known as Phintias, was a Greek colony founded in 282 BCE by Phintias, the tyrant of Akragas. Conquered by Rome just two decades later, the city’s remains are located near modern-day Licata in southwestern Sicily.
The masks produced from this mould likely served various purposes, potentially including decorative, ritualistic, and theatrical applications. This discovery illuminates the intertwined nature of spirituality and culture in ancient Rome and offers valuable insights into the artistic practices and symbolic traditions of ancient Finziade.
