Golden mask `sensational'

[ps1074]

SHIPKA, Bulgaria—A Bulgarian archaeologist has unearthed a 2,400-year-old golden mask in the tomb of an ancient Thracian king — a find he says is unrivalled in the study of classical antiquity.

Kitov said the mask "has no comparison in the world," and may be a more significant find than the Mask of Agamemnon, the Greek hero described by Homer in the Iliad. It's one of the most famous images of Greek antiquity, and the centrepiece of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.

"The Mask of Agamemnon was made of gold foil and weighs only 60 grams, while this mask weighs 690 grams (24 oz.) and is of solid gold," Kitov said.

Toronto Star Link

[psychopomp]

1. It's beautiful

Actually, it looks quite a bit like the mask of Agememnon.

Gotta love the archaeologist: on the brink of stepping into the history books, he takes the photo shirtless.

[mia]

2. The archaeologist

looks a lot like the face on the mask.

[wordout]

5. that's the curse of the golden mask

when you put it on your face for 20 minutes!!

[R Hickey]

3. I found one just like that, only it was made out of aluminun foil...

Damn...I accidently wadded it up and threw it in the garbage.

[robcon]

4. Incredible!

The real "golden" age of Greece!

[emad]

6. Looks a bit like UK Home Secretary David Blunkett after a

large roast dinner....