GILDED MARBLE HEAD UNEARTHED AT STOBI
Culture.
Archaeologists working in the Roman Forum at the Stobi archaeological site have unearthed a gilded marble head. The head was found overturned beside a domed niche in the structure. Although it is fragmented in several parts, it can be fully reconstructed. Archaeologist Mila Surbanoska, the head of the excavations, says this is a unique finding in the wider area. It speaks of Rome’s importance in these areas at the times.
According to initial evidence, the archaeologists can only confirm that the sculpture was made in the 2nd century of white granulated marble. The image and hair are precizely carved and smoothed. Parts of the cheeks, lips and the nose are black, probably from a fire that took place in the ancient times, when the sculpture was probably broken. This was when the whole Forum was likely burnt down.
Because other elements of the sculpture have not been found, it is not known who it was dedicated to. After it was created, it was coated with red colour and thin film of gold. Researchers expect to find other parts of the sculpture because the area where they fgound the head has not been examined in detail yet.
Excavations of the ancient site of Stobi are running through mid December. The excavations have been taking place for three years and have shown that the Forum, a 2nd and 3rd century structure, had a monumental entrance consisting of three 7-meter high columns connceted with arcades on the top.
MD: Cool, what a find! The excavations are operated by Archaeological and Tourist Valorization of the Ancient Town of Stobi Project funded by the Italian Foreign Ministry in collaboration with CISS NGO in Palermo and the Museum of Macedonia.
[Culture.in.mk]
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