Archaeologists excavating the ancient Greek polis of Phanagoria on the Taman Peninsula have discovered a 2nd-century BC theatrical mask, providing the first physical proof of a theatre in the region. The terracotta fragment depicts a satyr, a common figure in ancient Greek comedy, and features vivid blue and red pigments that have survived for over two millennia.
Measuring approximately 30 centimeters in length, the mask was likely used as a functional prop in theatrical mysteries or sacrificial offerings. The discovery, facilitated by the Volnoe Delo Foundation, highlights Phanagoria's status as a major cultural center of the Bosporan Kingdom and offers new insights into how Greek dramatic traditions were adapted in the northern Black Sea region.