The Newly Unearthed Mask in Turkey Confirms the Existence of the Roman Empire in the Region.
Archaeologists have discovered a Roman cavalry iron mask that dates back approximately 1,800 years in northern Turkey. This valuable artifact was uncovered during the excavation of a fortified structure in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in Paphlagonia, near Eskipazar, which is now part of Karabük Province.
The mask discovered in northern Turkey.
Archaeologists from Karabük University in Turkey state that this discovery demonstrates the influence of the Roman Empire in the region during the early 3rd century AD.
The ancient city of Hadrianopolis, also known as Caesarea and Proseilemmene, has been inhabited from the 1st century BC to the 8th century AD.
They uncovered 14 architectural structures, including two baths, two churches, a theater, stone tombs, a villa, and a square, where the cavalry mask was found.
The ancient city is renowned for its mosaics discovered on the floors of two major churches. The mosaics of Hadrianopolis depict images of the great rivers Tigris and Euphrates, as well as the fauna that existed during that time.
Ersin Çelikbaş, an archaeologist at Karabük University, stated: “The history of the areas in the Western Black Sea is still not fully clarified. We continue to shed light on history through our research. During the excavation, we obtained important data that indicates the existence of the Roman Empire in the region.”
According to the archaeological team, the Romans once established a military base in Hadrianopolis. Rome, Italy, planned its defenses by constructing bases against all kinds of threats from the Black Sea region to its own territory. Hadrianopolis was one of these defensive military cities.
