A team of archeologists, lead by the famous Bulgarian archaeologist Georgi Kitov, found a gold mask dating back to the fourth century B.C. in a tomb near the town of Sliven.

The mask is flat, around 25cm in diameter, with a big nose and closed eyes. It was found in a Thracian tomb, together with other artifacts, Focus news agency reported.

Kitov said that the mask belonged to a Thracian king.

Three years ago Kitov found a similar mask, the first such mask to be found in Bulgaria. It was heavier and more precisely done.

The new site proves archaeologists’ hypothesis that the Valley of Thracian kings spreads further to the east.

A silver 30cm high rhyton for wine and a massive gold ring were also found in the tomb. Only two such rhytons can be found in Bulgaria’s museums, Bulgarian news agency BTA said.

A half-face of a Thracian king with beard, mustangs and neatly combed hair is embossed on the gold ring, Focus said. The king’s identity is still unknown.

A crew of the Discovery television was at the place of the excavations and shot the artifacts, netinfo.bg said.