Archaeologists Uncovered a Strange Carving of a Terrifying Mythical Figure

As you read this story, you will learn the following:

Archaeologists uncovering an ancient Roman forum in modern-day Türkiye have uncovered a rather unique depiction of Medusa.
Medusa is carved into the ceiling tiles of the columned forum, but these tiles depict her smile rather than her infamous, snake-haired, menacing face.
Medusa’s more passionate side subverts typical myths, and her smile may represent peace and prosperity.

Depictions of Medusa are usually at least somewhat frightening, with her hair being snakes and her facial expressions menacing. However, archaeologists’ recent discovery of a carved image of Medusa in an ancient Roman forum has shed new light on the iconic figure from Greek mythology – the team unearthed a ceiling above a marble column that showed Medusa smiling like a child.

Fatma Bagdatli Cam, a professor at Baltin University, said: “Our Medusa is like the goddess of love, like the face of a very young child, posing in a smiling pose.” Türkiye today.

Archaeologists discovered the unique smiling Medusa while exploring the vast Roman forum with its colonnades and ceiling tiles during excavations in the ancient city of Amastris (now known as Amasra, in modern-day Turkey). As part of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Future Heritage” project, in collaboration with the university’s Center for Archaeological Applications and Research, marble columns up to 30 feet tall have been constructed so far over an area of 30,000 square feet.

The research team is attempting to reconstruct the forum, also known as the Roman colonnade, and has discovered at least seven columns, additional building blocks, ceiling lattices and evidence of a second colonnade nearby. These discoveries have prompted experts to call Amasra a glorious city during the Roman period. The forum will be the heart of community interaction – everything from business to social interaction. Kamm said each artifact helps provide a clearer understanding of communal life and culture in Amasra during the Roman era.

The appearance of the smiling Medusa, then, contrasts with expectations in many ways. Medusa is a figure from Greek mythology known for her snake-like hair, sharp teeth, and terrifying expression that can turn onlookers to stone, so images of Medusa are often used to scare potential tourists. To act as a deterrent, depictions were often placed on architectural elements, decorative pieces within buildings and even shields.

Cam said the more passionate side of Medusa seen in Amasra subverts typical myths, with her smile representing peace and prosperity. This unique discovery also has the team excited about other artifacts they might find at Amasra – past artifacts found at the site include a statue head of Alexander the Great, a statue of a nymph, and multiple Lares statues from regional Roman religions.

While more artifacts are being sought, work continues on the reconstruction of the Roman colonnade, three of which have been re-erected and finally opened to visitors. “We’re very excited,” Cam said. “We hope that the area will become a tourist attraction as soon as possible and that domestic and foreign tourists can witness the gradual rise of this ancient city.”