Archaeologists unearth lucky penis pendant near Hadrian's Wall
Recent excavations at Vindolanda, a fort just south of the Sycamore Gap, have unearthed a quirky piece of jewellery within the remains of a 4th Century wall.
The site was under Roman occupation between 85 AD and 370 AD, and today is an active archaeology site with it providing an insight into the lives of people living and working near Hadrian's Wall nearly 2,000 years ago.
Among the latest finds from the team of archaeologists is a miniature phallus-shaped pendant made from Jet gemstone, with its smooth surface suggesting the wearer touched it often for good luck.
'This little jet pendant was lost at sometime in the early 4th century when the barrack wall in which it was found was constructed,' director of excavations at the Vindolanda Charitable Trust, Dr Andrew Birley, said.
'Jet is increasingly common as a material used for jewellery from the early third century onwards and small good luck charms or pendants like these would have been worn by many of the soldiers at places like Vindolanda.
'You can see that the pendant is quite smooth, not just because of the material used but also no doubt because the wearer touched the charm for good luck.
'We are delighted to find this wonderful little artefact and I have no doubt that this is just the start of many more discoveries to come from Vindolanda this year.'
Phallic imagery was commonly used in as a symbol of good luck in Roman art.
Soldiers would often wear fist-and-phallus amulets for luck in battle and parents would kit their children out with penis-shaped pendants to protect them from the evil eye.
The symbols have been found on a wide range of Roman objects by archaeologists and historians, from mosaics to lamps. Along Hadrian's Wall alone, 59 phallic representations have been identified on the wall and in associated forts.
The discovery at Vindolanda follows a 2024 find where a phallus symbol was found carved into a stone slab, and follows the team's discovery of several other artefacts such as ink tablets, boxing gloves, boots and shoes at the important site.
Vindolanda was first built by the Roman army before construction had even begun on the 73-mile-long Hadrian's Wall to guard the wild north-west frontier of the Roman Empire.
It became an important construction and garrison base for the wall and was demolished and rebuilt at least nine times.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Fire at ancient Anglesey church nearing end of £2.3m upgrade
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Concerns for an ancient Anglesey church were raised when smoke was seen billowing high into the sky. St Cybi's in Holyhead is undergoing extensive redevelopment and parishioners feared a fire could jeopardise next month's scheduled reopening. It's understood vandals set light to portaloos being used by workers refurbishing the church, which dates from the 6th century and is built into Holyhead's Roman wall. The fire spread to adjacent timber stacked ready for use inside the building. Smoke was seen rising from the churchyard at around 6.30pm on Thursday, June 5. Although firefighters extinguished the blaze before causing serious damage, it's believed a section of the church's exterior wall was left charred and blackened. This is expected to weather and disappear over time. "It could have been a lot worse," said one observer. St Cybi's and its adjacent 14th century chapel, Eglwys y Bedd, are currently being redeveloped as part of a £2.3m project funded by UK Levelling up money. The church will reopen as a 'more accessible' multi-use community hub with a social enterprise cafe. The chapel, built on the site of St Cybi's original cell, is being extended using Anglesey limestone, quarried in Moelfre. In the plans are some exciting innovations designed to appeal to a younger demographic. Five ancient churches in the Diocese of Bangor are being upgraded as part of the Llefa'r Cerrig - Stones Shout Out initiative. Air source heat pumps are being installed to provide underfloor heating, and solar panels placed on south-facing roofs. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now St Cybi's is one of the five beneficiaries, with a shop and children's play area also planned. But the work hasn't been without controversy. Some parisioners were unhappy on learning that traditional old pews were being replaced by pews that can be moved to facilitate events and meetings. There was also anger over the transfer of St Cybi's organ to another church that can afford its estimated £200,000 repair bill. Critics claimed the heart of St Cybi's was being 'ripped out of it'. Meanwhile, the project timeline slipped when skeletal remains were discovered under the church and in the churchyard. In a pit beneath the chancel near the altar, a 'large collection of unarticulated human remains of unknown date' were found in summer 2023. They were buried beneath the church's 'Victorian layer', laid by architect Gilbert Scott during his reordering of the church in 1876-1879. It's suspected they had been reinterred, probably from multiple graves within the churchyard. All remains removed were due to be reinterred within the churchyard. Excitingly, other archaeological digs revealed what is believed to be part of the original footpath laid by Roman settlers at the site thousands of years ago. It's hoped St Cybi's can reopen in late July. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Holy Island Ministry area were approached for a comment. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
a day ago
- North Wales Live
Fire at ancient Anglesey church nearing end of £2.3m upgrade
Concerns for an ancient Anglesey church were raised when smoke was seen billowing high into the sky. St Cybi's in Holyhead is undergoing extensive redevelopment and parishioners feared a fire could jeopardise next month's scheduled reopening. It's understood vandals set light to portaloos being used by workers refurbishing the church, which dates from the 6th century and is built into Holyhead's Roman wall. The fire spread to adjacent timber stacked ready for use inside the building. Smoke was seen rising from the churchyard at around 6.30pm on Thursday, June 5. Although firefighters extinguished the blaze before causing serious damage, it's believed a section of the church's exterior wall was left charred and blackened. This is expected to weather and disappear over time. "It could have been a lot worse," said one observer. St Cybi's and its adjacent 14th century chapel, Eglwys y Bedd, are currently being redeveloped as part of a £2.3m project funded by UK Levelling up money. The church will reopen as a 'more accessible' multi-use community hub with a social enterprise cafe. The chapel, built on the site of St Cybi's original cell, is being extended using Anglesey limestone, quarried in Moelfre. In the plans are some exciting innovations designed to appeal to a younger demographic. Five ancient churches in the Diocese of Bangor are being upgraded as part of the Llefa'r Cerrig - Stones Shout Out initiative. Air source heat pumps are being installed to provide underfloor heating, and solar panels placed on south-facing roofs. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now St Cybi's is one of the five beneficiaries, with a shop and children's play area also planned. But the work hasn't been without controversy. Some parisioners were unhappy on learning that traditional old pews were being replaced by pews that can be moved to facilitate events and meetings. There was also anger over the transfer of St Cybi's organ to another church that can afford its estimated £200,000 repair bill. Critics claimed the heart of St Cybi's was being 'ripped out of it'. Meanwhile, the project timeline slipped when skeletal remains were discovered under the church and in the churchyard. In a pit beneath the chancel near the altar, a 'large collection of unarticulated human remains of unknown date' were found in summer 2023. They were buried beneath the church's 'Victorian layer', laid by architect Gilbert Scott during his reordering of the church in 1876-1879. It's suspected they had been reinterred, probably from multiple graves within the churchyard. All remains removed were due to be reinterred within the churchyard. Excitingly, other archaeological digs revealed what is believed to be part of the original footpath laid by Roman settlers at the site thousands of years ago. It's hoped St Cybi's can reopen in late July.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Archaeologists' discovery 'changes everything' where Jesus walked on water
The basalt stone, discovered in an area steeped with Biblical history, may change our understanding of the Roman Empire's span. It is etched with Ancient Greek characters An ancient stone, hewn nearly 1,700 years ago and laden with historical significance where Jesus is said to have walked on water, has been uncovered. Inscribed in Ancient Greek, the volcanic tablet could revolutionise our grasp on the expanse of Roman influence. Experts believe that the basalt relic, unearthed in Upper Galilee's Abel Beth Maacah, marked regional boundaries during Rome's reign. The artefact highlights two unknown Roman-controlled settlements - Tirathas and Golgol. At 1,720 years old, it testifies to the epoch of Caesar Marcus Aurelius Alexander, whose name might resonate with 'Gladiator' film fans. Not only does the find identify these towns, but it also mentions four rulers charged with managing the Empire's extensive territories. Professor Uzi from Hebrew University explained: "Finding a boundary stone like this not only sheds light on ancient land ownership and taxation but also provides a tangible connection to the lives of individuals who navigated these complex systems nearly two millennia ago." This revelation augments the vast tapestry of Rome's dominion, stretching from Italy to the Middle East, with Israel under its sway from 63 BC until 135 AD, reports the Mirror US. The ancient residents of a bygone era have etched their existence into the historical fabric, leaving a stone that researchers say offers a "unique glimpse into the lives of ancient inhabitants, the pressures they faced and the enduring traces of their communities in the archaeological record." For scholars, the names Tirathas and Golgol are intriguing new discoveries. They've drawn connections between Golgol and momentous Biblical sites such as Gilgal and Golgotha – the latter being the renowned location of Jesus' crucifixion. Gilgal serves an important role in the Book of Joshua as a major base for the Israelites, while Golgotha stands out as the crucifixion site of Christ. There's speculation that Kh. Turritha ruins, documented in the late 19th century on the Lebanese border, might represent Tirathas. A circular mound close to Abel Beth Maacah has piqued the interest of some historians who are chasing archaeological evidence, but nothing concrete has yet tied it to this region. This boundary marker joins over 20 similar relics uncovered in the northern Hula Valley, all hailing from the Roman Empire's zenith – a period when such stones demarcated land belonging and solidified Roman economic supremacy. Sitting in Galilee, the crossroads of Biblical narratives and Roman dominance, this artifact underscores the intricate tapestry woven by ancient geographic locations, economic structures, and cultural environments. Archaeologists in the Biblical region of Galilee have stumbled upon an ancient amulet believed to protect women and children from "evil spirits". The 1,500 year old relic, dubbed "Solomon's Seal", was unearthed in northern Israel by a local from the village of Arbel some forty years ago. In a separate remarkable discovery, a religious shrine thought to be sealed by the ancestors of Jesus has been revealed in the historic core of Jerusalem, undisturbed for almost three millennia. Nestled into the rock on the City of David's eastern slope, close to Temple Mount, this well-preserved site features eight chambers with an altar and a holy standing stone. Scholars are buzzing with the possibility that this site, now partially destroyed, could be linked to biblical tales, particularly resonating with the narrative of Hezekiah – one of Jesus's paternal grandfathers – known for his iconoclastic zeal in line with the Ten Commandments.
