A rare ancient Roman cameo relief depicting the gorgon Medusa was discovered by construction workers during excavation work for a new funicular railway in Hallstatt, Austria. The 1.5-cm banded agate piece, dated to the 2nd century C.E., was likely crafted in a northern Adriatic workshop and worn as a necklace by an elite Roman woman. It will become part of the permanent collection at Austria's Linz Castle Museum.
The discovery underscores the deep historical significance of Hallstatt, a site continuously settled for 7,500 years and home to a major Roman salt mining operation. The cameo is considered one of the most important antiquities ever found in Upper Austria, enriching understanding of Roman provincial life and highlighting how modern infrastructure projects can unexpectedly uncover invaluable cultural heritage.