In northern Turkey, a face-mask made of iron that was worn by a Roman soldier has been found. It is believed to have been used as a mask for chariot riding.
The find was made during excavations of a fortified structure in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in Paphlagonia, near modern-day Eskipazar, in Karabük Province.
Archaeologists from nearby Karabük University said that the finds indicate the influence of the Roman Empire in the region during the early 3rd century AD.
A face mask made of iron (pictured) was found in north central Turkey by an experienced member of Roman cavalry around 1,800 years ago.
The find was made during excavations of a fortified structure in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in Paphlagonia (pictured), near modern-day Eskipazar, in Karabük Province
Archaeologists from nearby Karabük University said that the finds indicate the influence of the Roman Empire in the region during the early 3rd century AD. The iron mask
The city of Hadrianopolis — also known by the names Caesarea and Proseilemmene — is thought to have been inhabited from the 1st century BC to the 8th century AD. Pictured: an archaeologist painstakingly uncovers the ruins of a building from ancient Hadrianopolis
The city of Hadrianopolis — also known by the names Caesarea and Proseilemmene — is thought to have been inhabited from the 1st century BC to the 8th century AD.
Archaeologists have been excavating the site since 2003, having uncovered 14 structures including two baths, two churches, a theatre, rock tombs, a monumental niche, a villa and the square, fortified building in which the cavalry mask was found.
We believe this building is a military structure based upon the appearance of the fortification walls. An iron mask was uncovered during excavations here,’ lead archaeologist Ersin Çelikbaş of Karabük University told Gazete Global.
‘The history of the inner regions of the Western Black Sea Region has not been fully elucidated yet,’ Dr Çelikbaş continued.
“We continue to illuminate history in the region through our research.
“During our excavations we found important evidence that the Roman Empire existed in this region.”
The Hadrianopolis site has been under excavation by archaeologists since 2003. 14 structures have been discovered, including two baths (pictured), two churches and two theatres. A monumental niche, a palace, square-fortified buildings, the cavalry mask, and two other churches.
We believe this building is a military structure based upon the appearance of the fortification walls. An iron mask was uncovered during excavations here,’ lead archaeologist Ersin Çelikbaş of Karabük University told Gazete Global. The iron mask
‘The history of the inner regions of the Western Black Sea Region has not been fully elucidated yet,’ Dr Çelikbaş (pictured here with the mask) continued. We continue to reveal the past of this region through our studies.
‘During our excavations, we reached important data showing the existence of the Roman Empire in the region,’ Dr Çelikbaş said. Photo: Excavating the site by archaeologists
According to the archaeological team, it is likely that a Roman garrison held a military base in Hadrianopolis — a hypothesis supported in part by the find of the Roman mask pictured
According to the archaeological team, it is likely that a Roman garrison held a military base in Hadrianopolis.
Rome planned to defend itself at the far end [of its empire] by building bases against all kinds of dangers that may come from the Black Sea Region to its territory,’ Dr Çelikbaş explained.
“We consider Hadrianopolis to be one of these military defensive cities.
‘The [mask]gehört to the imperial period. It is very likely — when we look at similar examples and [the stratigraphic location of the find] — from the 3rd century AD.’
Excavations are to continue at the Hadrianopolis site. According to the archaeologists, small finds will be taken to museums in the surrounding provinces, while larger, immovable discoveries will be preserved where they were unearthed.
!['Rome planned to make its defence at the far end [of its empire] by building bases against all kinds of dangers that may come from the Black Sea Region to its territory,' Dr Çelikbaş explained. Pictured: the archaeologists work at the Hadrianopolis site](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/23/12/50860515-10233655-image-a-68_1637669886652.jpg)
Rome planned to defend itself at the far end [of its empire] by building bases against all kinds of dangers that may come from the Black Sea Region to its territory,’ Dr Çelikbaş explained. Pictured: the archaeologists work at the Hadrianopolis site
!['We think that Hadrianopolis [pictured] is one of these defensive military cities,' Dr Çelikbaş continued](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/23/12/50860521-10233655-image-a-57_1637669545286.jpg)
“We believe that Hadrianopolis is the best.” [pictured] is one of these defensive military cities,’ Dr Çelikbaş continued
!['The [mask] belongs to the imperial period. It is very likely — when we look at similar examples and [the stratigraphic location of the find] — from the 3rd century AD,' said Dr Çelikbaş. Pictured: Dr Çelikbaş and his colleagues undertaking excavations at the dig site](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/23/12/50860525-10233655-image-a-56_1637669540083.jpg)
‘The [mask]gehört to the imperial period. It is very likely — when we look at similar examples and [the stratigraphic location of the find] — from the 3rd century AD,’ said Dr Çelikbaş. Pictured: Dr Çelikbaş and his colleagues undertaking excavations at the dig site
The find was made during excavations of a fortified structure in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in Paphlagonia, near modern-day Eskipazar, in Karabük Province