theater

A striking 2,000-year-old terracotta head depicting a Greek theater mask has been discovered inside Crno Jezero Cave on Croatia’s Pelješac peninsula. The rare find adds a compelling new layer to the already complex archaeological history of the site, suggesting it once served as an Illyrian sanctuary where rituals—perhaps dedicated to Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and theater—were performed. The intact artifact, dating to the 4th or 3rd century BC, provides an extraordinary glimpse into the blending of ancient Greek and local Illyrian religious practices. The discovery was made during excavations carried out between April 23 and May 4, 2026, by the Archaeological Museum of Dubrovnik Museums. The mask is hollow inside and features a small hole at the top