Archaeologists in Hallstatt have unearthed a rare Roman-era cameo that has a carving of Medusa from Ancient Greek mythology.
Medusa is one of the three Gorgons, famed for her hair of living snakes and a gaze that turned onlookers to stone.
Originally a beautiful maiden, she was transformed into a monster by Athena but ultimately met her end at the hands of the hero Perseus, who used a mirrored shield to avoid her deadly stare before beheading her.
The cameo was found during excavations conducted by ARDIS and the Upper Austrian State Museums at the new funicular railway station, which during the Roman period was a bustling lakeside settlement – though much about its layout and name remains unknown.
According to experts, the cameo was crafted in the 2nd century AD in the Adriatic city of Aquileia, and is carved from black-and-white banded agate, or onyx.
Despite its size, the piece stands out for its exceptional workmanship and remarkable preservation. It is only the third Roman cameo currently on public display in Upper Austria, joining a lion-themed ring in the Wels City Museum and a gold ring depicting a bound Cupid in the Lauriacum Museum.
Compared to the Wels and Enns pieces, the Hallstatt cameo is notably larger, with a deeper and more sculptural relief. Experts believe its slightly angled perspective reflects the natural form of the original onyx.
The winged head of Medusa, framed with snakes for hair—also known as the Gorgoneion—is an extremely popular motif in Greek and Roman antiquity. It is considered a protective symbol meant to ward off misfortune.
Its size suggests it was unlikely to have been set in a ring; instead, researchers propose it may once have adorned the necklace of a wealthy Roman woman.
Header Image Credit : Landes-Kultur GmbH
Sources : Landes-Kultur GmbH
