The largest known bronze mask of the god Pan has been uncovered at the University of Haifa’s excavation at the Hippos-Sussita National Park in Israel.

Bronze masks of this size are extremely rare and usually do not depict Pan or any of the other Greek or Roman mythological images, according to archaeologist Michael Eisenberg, who is heading the excavation. “Most of the known bronze masks from the Hellenistic and Roman periods are miniature,” he said, noting the new find is the only of its kind.

“Most of the masks are usually similar in size to theater masks, are made of stone or terracotta and are of ritual, decorative or symbolic significance. I contacted the curators of some of the world’s greatest museums, and even they said that they were not familiar with the type of bronze mask that we found at Hippos.” — israel21c