Archaeologists in southern Turkey have uncovered five new Roman-era theatrical masks, adding fresh insight into cultural life in the ancient Greek city of Hieropolis (also known as Castabala). The reliefs were found in the city’s monumental theater, a structure believed to date to the 1st century AD and built under Roman imperial influence.
Officials say the discovery expands evidence showing how performance, ritual, and public identity shaped the region during the Roman era.
New reliefs expand the growing collection
Researchers report that the newly uncovered masks bring the total number found at the site to 36. Earlier seasons revealed masks depicting characters from classical tragedy and comedy. The latest discoveries continue to show how theatrical imagery spread across Roman Anatolia and how Hieropolis Castabala absorbed artistic traditions across the empire.
Excavation team traces a 2,700-year history
The excavation is led by Associate Professor Faris Demir of Osmaniye Korkut Ata University (OKÜ), in partnership with the Osmaniye Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism. Demir says each season helps clarify Kastabala’s long timeline, which stretches back nearly 2,700 years.
One of the new masks depicts an elderly philosopher. Demir says this figure stands out because it suggests the theater served more than entertainment alone, pointing to a space for intellectual and literary dialogue.
5 theatrical mask reliefs have been discovered during excavations in the theater area of ancient Greek city of Kastabala in Turkey pic.twitter.com/RKj7Qk7LsY
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) November 19, 2025
Theater served as a cultural and intellectual hub
“These reliefs show us that the theater wasn’t solely a place for entertainment,” Demir said. “It functioned as a cultural hub where philosophical and literary dialogues were held. The newly discovered masks also highlight the artistic blend of Eastern and Western traditions that shaped Castabala.”
Archaeologists say the theater likely seated around 5,000 people, underscoring its importance within the ancient city. Excavations have also revealed well-preserved architectural fragments from the stage building, offering researchers a clearer view of its original structure.
“Recovering these architectural fragments allows us to envision the original structure of the stage building,” Demir said. “Our goal is not only to uncover and study this area but also to restore and preserve it for future generations.”
City reflects deep Greek cultural and religious ties
During the Hellenistic and Roman era Castabala was known as Hierapolis, reflecting the strong Greek cultural presence that shaped the region long before and during the Roman era. The city’s most distinctive sanctuary was dedicated to Artemis Perasia, a regional form of the Greek goddess Artemis.
Ancient Greek writers described priestesses who walked barefoot over hot coals during rituals, marking Castabala as a unique religious center in the Greek-speaking world of Anatolia.
The site also preserves a long colonnaded street that once linked important public buildings, along with a medieval fortress overlooking the ruins. These layers show how the city continued to hold strategic value through the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods—all eras in which Greek cultural influence remained strong.
Masks reinforce Castabala’s layered cultural identity
The newly uncovered Roman-era theatrical masks from Turkey strengthen Castabala’s identity as a place where art, Greek religious tradition, and Roman public life converged.
Archaeologists say the discoveries bring them closer to understanding the ancient city’s role in the wider cultural landscape of the eastern Mediterranean. More findings are expected as excavations continue.
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