17 September 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

The 1800-year iron mask unearthed in Turkey is proof of the first military base of the Roman period in the Western Black Sea Region

An iron face mask used by a skilled member of the Roman cavalry 1,800 years ago has been discovered in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in northern central Turkey.

The Ancient City of Hadrianaupolis, which is estimated to have been established in the 1st century BC and used for settlement until the 8th century AD, is located in the Eskipazar district of Karabük.

Excavations continue in the 5,500-year-old Hadrianaupolis Ancient City, known as the “Zeugma of the Black Sea“. New artifacts were unearthed in the ongoing excavations under the chairmanship of Karabuk University Archeology Department lecturer associate professor Ersin Çelikbaş.

Head of Excavation Assoc. Dr. Ersin Çelikbaş said that the 1800-year-old iron mask unearthed during the excavations revealed the presence of a military base of the Roman Empire in the inner parts of the Western Black Sea Region.

An iron face mask (pictured) that would have been worn by an accomplished member of the Roman cavalry some 1,800 years ago has been unearthed in northern central Turkey
An iron face mask (pictured) that would have been worn by an accomplished member of the Roman cavalry some 1,800 years ago has been unearthed in northern central Turkey. Photo: AA, Ahmet Özler

Speaking to the reporters on the subject, Head of Excavation Assoc. Dr. Ersin Çelikbaş stated that they have been continuing the excavations in 2021 for 6 months, ‘We guess from the fortification wall in the building that this is a military structure. An iron mask was uncovered during excavations here,’ he said.

‘The history of the inner regions of the Western Black Sea Region has not been fully elucidated yet. We continue to illuminate the history of the region with our studies,’ Dr. Ersin Çelikbaş continued.

Archaeologists from nearby Karabuk University said the discovery reflects the influence of the Roman Empire in the region during the early 3rd century AD.
Archaeologists from nearby Karabuk University said the discovery reflects the influence of the Roman Empire in the region during the early 3rd century AD. Photo: İHA

‘During our excavations, we reached important data showing the existence of the Roman Empire in the region.’

Noting that the artifacts they found during the excavations also revealed new discoveries, Çelikbaş said, “The military presence of the novel was unknown in this inner geography of the Western Black Sea Region. With these studies we have done, it is most likely that the Roman Empire established a military base here. The biggest reason for establishing a military base here is to obtain a frontal defense area that will prevent all kinds of dangers from the east and the Black Sea. Therefore, we can say that Hadrianaupolis is one of the important defense cities of Rome.

Since 2003, archaeologists have excavated the site, uncovering 14 buildings including two baths, two churches, a theatre, rock tombs, a monumental niche, a mansion, and the square, walled edifice where the cavalry mask was discovered.

Excavations continue in the ancient city.

Related Articles

Intricate Design Revealed on 1100-Year-Old Gold-Inlaid Ritual Spear from Japan’s Island of the Gods

13 June 2025

13 June 2025

A recent archaeological breakthrough on Japan’s sacred Okinoshima Island has unveiled an ornately decorated iron spear from the late Kofun...

Lost Medieval Synagogue Unearthed: Foundations of a Major Jewish Center Rediscovered in Southern Germany

14 September 2025

14 September 2025

Archaeologists have uncovered the long-lost remains of one of the most important medieval Jewish centers in southern Germany. Excavations at...

Medieval ship found off the west coast of Sweden

5 February 2022

5 February 2022

A previously undiscovered wreck has been found outside of Fjällbacka on the Swedish west coast. Analysis of wood samples shows...

A 130,000-year-old Stingray Sand Sculpture on South Africa’s Coast May Be the World’s Oldest Animal Art

4 April 2024

4 April 2024

Analyzing this object, which at first glance looks like a symmetrical rock, the research team speculated that it could be...

Archaeologists found three large shipwrecks, 139 Viking Graves, and a ship-shaped mound in Sweden

21 October 2024

21 October 2024

Exciting discoveries in Sweden! Archaeologists were preparing to investigate a Stone Age settlement outside Varberg. But they came across a...

300-Year-Old Sacred Mummified Mermaid From Japan’s Mystery Solved

20 February 2023

20 February 2023

A mummified mermaid has been worshiped in Japan for centuries because locals believe it has healing powers. However, upon closer...

Early Imperial cemetery in Nîmes, in the south of France

4 October 2022

4 October 2022

Inrap archaeologists excavating at Nîmes in southern France have uncovered a cemetery dating to the first to second centuries AD...

The 1000-year Curse of the Croatian King Zvonimir

26 September 2023

26 September 2023

Croatia is a fascinating country that continually rises up people’s must-visit lists thanks to its sparkling Adriatic coastline, 1,244 islands,...

Bronze Age burial chamber discovered on Dartmoor, England

14 May 2024

14 May 2024

Excitement has been felt among archaeologists over the discovery of a Bronze Age burial chamber on Dartmoor, which may provide...

3,500-Year-Old Opal Workshop and Rare Lithophones Unearthed in Vietnam

17 August 2025

17 August 2025

Archaeologists in Vietnam’s Gia Lai province have uncovered a remarkable prehistoric site dating back more than 3,500 years. Excavations at...

First direct evidence of drug use as part of Bronze Age ritual ceremonies in Europe

6 April 2023

6 April 2023

An analysis of human hair strands recovered from a burial site in Menorca, Spain, reveals that ancient human civilizations used...

Byzantine monk chained with iron rings unearthed near Jerusalem

4 January 2023

4 January 2023

A skeleton chained with iron rings was discovered at Khirbat el-Masani, about four kilometers northwest of Jerusalem, along the ancient...

Israeli Archaeologists discover two shipwrecks filled with treasure

22 December 2021

22 December 2021

Israeli archaeologists have been discovered ancient artifacts and treasures amid the wrecks of two ships on the seafloor off the...

Rare Ceremonial Knives Offering Discovered in the Great Basement of Tlatelolco, Mexico

27 May 2024

27 May 2024

Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH)  have unearthed a very special votive offering during excavations at...

Evidence of a 1500-year-old Byzantine church found on the beach of Ashdod, Israel

22 February 2022

22 February 2022

Recent rain in Israel has unearthed the remains of a marble pillar dating to around 1,500 years ago on a...