Ancient mask unearthed

2004-08-20 14:33

Bulgaria - Bulgarian archaeologists have unearthed a 2 400-year old golden mask in the tomb of an ancient Thracian king, a newspaper said on Friday.

The mask bears the image of a human face and is made of 500 grams of solid gold, the project's lead archaeologist Georgi Kitov told the local Trud daily.

The discovery was made on Thursday near the village of Shipka, 200 kilometres east of Sofia.

Kitov, who is at the excavation site, could not be reached for comment.

Dozens of Thracian mounds are spread throughout this region, which archaeologists have dubbed "the Bulgarian valley of kings" in reference to the Valley of Kings near Luxor, which is home to the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs.

"This unique mask looks even better than the famous image of King Agamemnon," the Greek hero described by Homer in the Iliad, Kitov was quoted as saying.

"This is the first Thracian mask of solid gold ever found," he was quoted as saying, adding that previously archaeologists had only found masks covered with golden foil.

Kitov suggested that the mask could belong to King Seutus III, the Thracian king who ruled these lands in the fifth century BC.

The tomb was covered with six stone slates, each weighing at least two tons. The king's remains have not yet been found, but excavations at the tomb continue, Kitov said.

In addition to the golden mask, archaeologists discovered a golden ring with a rower's image as well as many bronze and silver vessels, the report said.

- AP