After the Bronze Age finds in August of this year, Hallstatt has revealed its next archaeological sensation: the discovery of a Roman Medusa amulet dating to the 2nd century AD.

The Upper Austrian State Culture Ltd. (OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH) recently celebrated, in a small gathering, the long-awaited first glimpse of the “Medusa of Hallstatt,” which was found during archaeological supervision of the current construction work on the Hallstatt funicular railway. It is an exceptionally fortunate find, as the tiny pendant—measuring only 1.5 centimeters and made of the quartz stone agate—could only be recognized on such a construction site by the professionally trained eye of specialists, in this case an Italian archaeologist involved in the project.

Video by Michael Maritsch

In front of proud and interested representatives of Salzwelten GmbH, local politicians, the NHM, and the press, state archaeologist Stefan Traxler presented the valuable object. He explained the historical context and the story of the discovery in a clear and accessible way, using the display panels created by project manager Simon Lachner. Presumably originating from Aquileia in Italy, the piece of jewelry made its way to the Roman settlement in what is now Hallstatt.

The small but remarkable exhibition will be accessible in Hallstatt for only one day—on Monday, 8 December 2025, at the Hallstatt Cultural Center. Starting in 2026, the Medusa will then be on permanent display at the Schlossmuseum in Linz.