Archaeologists have discovered an interesting find in Finziade’s ancient city, Licata: a mold to create masks depicting Medusa, the well-known Greek mythical creature. The substantial find provides a clue to Roman Sicily’s cultural and economic practices during the late Republican era.
This mold was discovered in “House 18,” a house initially constructed as a residence but eventually transformed into an artisan workshop. The shift occurred during the early 1st century BCE, an era of economic and social transition. The mold, identified as depicting Medusa, confirms the building’s role in mask production.
Medusa, one of the three mythological Gorgons, is described as having a petrifying stare and snakes for hair. Her image was dual-sided in ancient times, representing danger and protection. Medusa’s face was often shown in decorative and architectural themes. The face of Medusa was said to repel evil. The mask molds from the site may have been used in different contexts, ranging from theater to rituals, to wall decorations at home, and they attest to the intersection of daily life and spiritual beliefs.
The molds discovered here indicate a dynamic local industry. The discoveries are consistent with findings in other parts of the city, demonstrating the role of craftsmanship in the local economy.
The city of Finziade, established in 282 BCE by Phintias, tyrant of Agrigento, was the final Greek colony to be founded in Sicily. Its location on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean made it a center of trade and cultural exchanges. Conquered by Rome in the First Punic War, Finziade became a key settlement in the Roman economic network.
The discovery is part of the Finziade Project, a multidisciplinary research project directed by archaeologists Alessio Toscano Raffa of the CNR-ISPC in Catania and Maria Concetta Parello, with logistical support from Rosario Callea of the Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. The project is managed by Roberto Sciarratta, with the collaboration of the National Research Council’s Institute of Cultural Heritage Sciences.
Roman Sicily was a melting pot of Greek, Roman, and local influences, as attested by artifacts like the Medusa mold. These finds reveal the dynamics of artistic creation, economic activity, and cultural symbolism in the ancient Mediterranean.
More information: Finziade Project / Parco Archeologico e Paesaggistico della Valle dei Templi
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