Mask of the Lady of Thaj

The Mask of the Lady of Thaj is a gold-crafted facial mask representing a woman's face. The details of the face are vividly depicted, including small eyes, a long nose, a small mouth, a faint mustache, sideburns, a chin, and a small pointed beard. The mask measures 17.5 cm in height and 13.5 cm in width. It was discovered in Thaj area, located approximately eighty-five km southwest of al-Jubail City in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The mask dates back to 100 BCE and was used as an ornamental accessory in the pre-Islamic civilization of Thaj.

The Saudi National Museum in Riyadh houses this golden mask. It has been featured among various archaeological discoveries from Saudi Arabia in the Saudi Archeological Masterpieces Through the Ages Exhibition. The inaugural display was held at the Louvre Museum in the French capital, Paris, in 2010. The exhibition subsequently toured numerous countries across Europe, Asia, and America. The mask was discovered during archaeological surveys and excavations conducted by the antiquities and museums sector in Saudi Arabia over the past years, as well as the discoveries of Saudi archaeologists and scientific expeditions. It is registered under the number 2061.

The cultural significance of the mask of the lady of Thaj surpasses its artistic value and realistic craftsmanship. Its discovery in the tomb of a young princess, alongside various ornaments and jewelry, reflects two important facts. First, it highlights the deep-rooted belief in the concept of life after death within the Thaj community before Islam. Second, it underscores the social importance of the tomb’s owner.