Easily one of the most recognisable mythological monsters from ancient times, Medusa was a woman like creature with serpents instead of hair, with a deadly gaze which whomever was unfortunate to lock onto, would turn to stone.
The rare marble figure was discovered at a dig site in Antiochia ad Cragum, an ancient Roman city originally founded during the reign of Emperor Nero. Researchers believe that despite its fearful appearance and evil reputation, the figurine would have been used to ward of evil spirits and bad luck.
Surprising is the fact that it managed to survive the Christian raids, as at the time, when the Christians arrived they went to great lengths to destroy any statues that they deemed idolatrous.
“The people living at Antiochia later were zealous Christians who were destroying art in much the same way that ISIS is destroying remnants of the ancient past,” said dig director Michael Hoff.
