-The-Vindolanda-Trust.jpeg%3Ftrim%3D167%2C0%2C169%2C0%26width%3D1200%26height%3D800%26crop%3D1200%3A800&w=3840&q=100)
Ancient Roman goddess of victory sculpture found at Hadrian's Wall by amateur archaeologists
An ancient statue depicting the Roman goddess of victory has been unearthed at Hadrian's Wall by amateur archaeologists.
The symbolic find of the winged goddess was discovered in a reused pile of rubble above infantry barracks at Vindolanda, a fort just south of the Sycamore Gap.
It is believed the sandstone relief had been used to signify the end of an ancient Roman war.
Veteran married volunteers Jim and Dilys Quinlan, from Merseyside, made the discovery on 1 May while taking part in their 21st year on the site's excavation programme.
Ms Quinlan told The Guardian: 'We've spent the vast majority of our annual leave at Vindolanda over the years. As veteran diggers, it is without doubt the most wonderful thing we've ever done and, importantly, it's something we do as a couple.
'It's the best form of relaxation that we know of. We eat well, sleep well, we're in good company and there's always more to learn. What more could you ask for?'
Goddess Victory, known in Latin as Victoria, was the personification of victory in Roman religion and mythology.
She was the counterpart of the Greek goddess Nike and was highly revered by the ancient Romans, during times of war she was often credited for battlefield success, according to the Vindolanda Trust.
Dr Andrew Birley, the director of excavations for the Vindolanda Trust said: 'Finds like this are increasingly rare these days from Roman Britain, but the beautifully carved figure vividly reminds us that Roman forts were not simply utilitarian, they had grandeur and of course the symbolism was a vital part of the culture here for the soldiers almost 2,000 years ago.
'I am also delighted for Jim and Dilys for their discovery. It is just reward for their 21 years of hard work and dedication to this site.'
The stone is thought to be one side of a much larger relief which would have framed an inscription in its centre, and is 'highly likely' to have originally been brightly painted.
The Trust's curator Barbara Birley said: 'We will be working with our specialists to see if any traces of the pigment remain, so for now the relief is being stored unwashed ready for that further analysis.'
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.
The site was under Roman occupation between 85 AD and 370 AD, and today it is an active archaeology site providing an insight into the lives of people living and working near Hadrian's Wall nearly 2,000 years ago.
These particular barracks at Vindolanda were built at the end of a tumultuous time for the Romans in Britain, in AD 213, just after the end of the Severan wars.
The barracks were once adorned with a large ornamental arch and gate, precisely the location where an inscription may have been present.
This artefact will go on public display in early 2026 at the Vindolanda museum as part of its Recent Finds exhibition.
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The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
Millions of household unable to get help with water bills due to unfair loophole
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Meanwhile, millions of homes are unable to get one installed due to a variety of reasons. This could be because there is more than one water supply to your home or your property is on a shared supply. Another reason could be because the pipework in your property is inaccessible, obstructed or in poor condition. Or your water company may not be able to find a good place to fit your water meter inside or outside your home. Plus, if you live in a flat and have communal facilities or a shared hot water supply then you may not be able to get a water meter. In some areas the number of people who can have a water meter installed may be even lower. Insiders have told The Sun that up to 70% of homes in London are unmeterable. This could mean millions of households are unable to access the Thames Water scheme, which caps wastewater and water services at £639 a year. What water bill support is available? 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The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
The 89p cupboard staple that will get your decking sparkling for summer – it works better than a pressure washer
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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning over 'Doomsday wreck' at the bottom of the Thames: Bomb-filled SS Richard Montgomery is edging close to COLLAPSE – as officials frantically impose a no-fly zone over the site
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