The most ancient masks are from the necropolis from the northern shore of the Varna Lake. There have been discovered tombs with symbolic funerals where the dead is represented only by a unique mask of unbaked clay. Initially these masks have been formed by smearing clay over the faces of the dead - a token that the dead have gone to other worlds and have nothing in common with the former dwellers of the bodies. They called these masks "hristos" because that meant "used for smearing". Hence comes the meaning of Hristos - God anointed. The ancient Greeks liked the scenes in which the Thracians performed their rituals and began to make theatrical performances to their likeness. They placed masks on the faces of the actors to represent that they symbolize other images.