Latest news with #AndrewBirley
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Amateur Archaeologists Found an 1,800-Year-Old Carving of an Ancient Goddess
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Amateur archaeologists uncovered a sandstone relief of the Roman goddess of victory in Northumberland. The find occurred in a pile of rubble at the famed Roman fort Vindolanda. Dated to about 213 A.D., the find could be just one piece of an even larger relief. A pair of married volunteer archaeologists working at the Vindolanda archaeological site near Northumberland recently scored a big win. Jim and Dilys Quinlan discovered a sandstone relief—a sculpture that remains attached to a solid background—of Victoria (the Roman goddess of victory) amidst the rubble of what was once a Roman infantry barracks. The Vindolanda site, which was active in roughly 213 A.D., after the end of the Severan wars, was once outfitted with ornamental arches and gates—any of which could have been the original position of the newfound relief. 'Finds like this are increasingly rare these days from Roman Britain,' Andrew Birley, director of excavations for the Vindolanda Trust, said in a statement, '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.' The excitement is greatest for the Quinlans, as they spent 21 years volunteering at the site before uncovering the artifact. 'We've spent the vast majority of our annual leave at Vindolanda over the years,' Dilys told the Guardian. 'As veteran diggers, it is without a 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?' Barbara Birley, the Vindolanda Trust's curator, said in a statement that Roman reliefs such as the one just found were often painted with vibrant colors, and 'it is highly likely that this stone would have originally been brightly painted. 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.' The find occurred near Hadrian's Wall. At over 18 inches tall, the carving may have been crafted to symbolize an end to local wars, and could have been a piece of a larger design—possibly one side of a larger, multi-sided relief. 'There is that sense of palpable excitement when you turn over the 2,000th piece of Roman rubble and you see on the other side the face of a goddess staring right back at you,' Andrew Birley said. 'What you get there is a direct connection. It's almost like you're toughing the past and all those years melt way, which is just wonderful. 'I am also delighted for Jim and Dilys for their discovery,' Andrew Birley said. 'It is just reward for their 21 years of hard work and dedication to this site.' Following analysis, the trust plans to display the relief in 2026 at the Vindolanda Museum. The Greeks may have their goddess Nike, but the folks at Vindolanda—especially the Quinlans—will happily take the Roman victory. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Lost penis pendant found inside Roman wall in UK. See phallic good luck charm
Hadrian's Wall — a 73-mile construction across northern Britain that marked the frontier of the Roman Empire — is no stranger to penis imagery. The nearly 2,000-year-old example of Roman engineering is covered in penile carvings, thanks to the ancient citizens and soldiers leaving their marks, the Vindolanda Charitable Trust said. Nearly five dozen phalli have been found along the wall and at military installations, according to Heritage Daily, including at the Vindolanda Fort along the wall in Hexham, England. Now, another phallic-shaped art piece has been discovered, this time for a more personal use. A small, carved penis pendant was found in Vindolanda on April 25, the Vindolanda National Trust told McClatchy News in an email. 'It was found dropped into the rubble fill or core of a stone wall. Quite (possibly) dropped there by the soldier or mason who built the wall,' Andrew Birley, archaeologist and director of excavations at Vindolanda, told McClatchy News. 'Wall building is hard manual work and all manner of personal items find their way into wall cores because they get knocked or dropped by their owners,' Birley said. 'In the past we have found belt buckles, rings, pottery and other items in wall cores.' It was found in a barrack wall dated to the early fourth century, Birley said, making the piece around 1,700 years old. The pendant was made from jet, a type of lignite gemstone or the lowest rank of coal, the archaeologist said. 'Jet is increasingly common as a material used for (jewelry) 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,' Birley said. This particular penis would have been worn as a pendant, likely around the neck instead of being carried, according to Birley. Jet feels warm to the touch, so it was likely kept close to the skin. The pendant is small but 'rather fine,' Birley said, likely 'made by a skilled artisan rather than someone unused to working in that material' and could have been worn by a soldier or someone else in the community. '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,' Birley said. The charm adds to the growing collection of phallus imagery at the site, a practice Birley said both men and women participated in. While uncovering rubble in 2022, a volunteer discovered a stone face with a carved phallus and letters, believed to be inscribed as a personal insult, according to the trust. In 2024, researchers found another carving of a penis, this time in a stone on the ground and considered a message of good luck from soldier to soldier, McClatchy News reported. The year previous, archaeologists uncovered a large wooden phallus in a ditch at Vindolanda, first thought to be a knitting tool, McClatchy News reported. Later investigation revealed it instead could have been part of a statue, a pestle or, alternatively, a sex toy. Vindolanda is located in Hexham in north-central England.
New York Post
01-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
Tiny penis pendant discovered near UK landmark Hadrian's Wall may have been Roman soldier's good luck charm
It's not the size of the pendant, but the amount of luck it provides. Archeologists discovered a heavily handled penis pendant at a fort erected near northern England landmark Hadrian's Wall and believe it was used by a Roman soldier as a good luck charm. An excavation at the Vindolanda fort in Hexham unearthed the phallic, jet gemstone charm, which measures only a few centimeters long, but was supposedly a cherished object to its owner, according to The Independent. Advertisement 3 The teensy jet phallus was discovered at Vindolanda, a fort in northern England that is part of legendary Hadrian's Wall. The Vindolanda Trust '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,' Dr. Andrew Birley, director of excavations at Vindolanda Charitable Trust told the outlet. 'This little jet pendant was lost at sometime in the early 4th century when the barrack wall in which it was found was constructed,' he added. Advertisement 3 The phallus measured just about 3 centimeters. The Vindolanda Trust 3 Hadrian's Wall was constructed in 122 AD to keep demarcate the wild territory of the British isle. Marieke – Charms, pendants and other jewelry were commonly made out of jet — and phallic symbols were a favorite of Roman soldiers. Many centurions and praetorians would wear a common symbol called the 'fist-and-phallus,' which was worn for good fortune during battle. Advertisement Phallic symbols have previously been found at Vindolanda, which was constructed before the 122 AD assembly of Hadrian's Wall. Last year, ancient graffiti penises carved by Roman soldiers in 207 AD was found by archaeologists — with a total of 59 phallic etchings found across the 73-mile span. Researchers in 2018 uncovered Roman boxing gloves at the wall that were made out of twisted leather.
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Archaeologists uncover a 'wonderful' 1-inch penis pendant at a Roman fort in Northumberland - and say it was probably a good luck charm for a soldier
Archaeologists have uncovered a 'wonderful' penis pendant at Vindolanda, the historic Roman fort in Northumberland. Measuring less than an inch, the jet black charm was likely handcrafted in the fourth century AD, about 300 years after the Romans invaded Britain. At Vindolanda, small, portable phalli made of bone or metal were commonly worn as pendants around the neck, to ward off evil and aid fertility. According to experts, this particular object's smooth surface suggests the owner touched it often for good luck. Dr Andrew Birley, director of excavations at the Vindolanda Charitable Trust, called it a 'wonderful little artefact'. 'This little jet pendant was lost at sometime in the early 4th century when the barrack wall in which it was found was constructed,' he said. Vindolanda Charitable Trust posted the find to its Facebook page, where it was met with some hilarious comments. 'Well, so much for size not mattering,' one person said, while another posted: 'That's 6' honestly!' It was uncovered last Friday (April 25) by one of the volunteers joining Vindolanda Charitable Trust for ongoing excavations. It is now at an on-site laboratory where it will be cleaned before going being researched further and going on public display at Vindolanda in 2026. Just under an inch (2.5cm) in length, the phallic charm was constructed out of jet, a dark, semi-precious gemstone. Jet became increasingly common as a material used for jewellery from the early third century onwards, according to Dr Birley. 'Small good luck charms or pendants like these would have been worn by many of the soldiers at places like Vindolanda,' he said. 'I have no doubt that this is just the start of many more discoveries to come from Vindolanda this year.' Vindolanda Roman Fort was under Roman occupation roughly between 85 AD and 370 AD, archaeological excavations already show. We also know that phallic symbols were used widely across the Roman Empire as a way to protect against bad luck and ward off evil. The phallus: An image of strength and virility Phallic emblems are found on a wide range of Roman objects, from amulets to frescoes to mosaics to lamps. They were symbols intended to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. As the ancient author Pliny attests, even babies and soldiers wore such charms to invite divine protection. Source: Met Museum Small phalli carved from bone or crafted from metal were commonly worn as pedants, while homes were often decorated with frescoes or mosaics featuring phalli. It's not the first time phallic objects have been found at Vindolanda, which is also known for its collection of ancient writing tablets. Back in 2023, researchers revealed a much larger artefact made of wood which may have been used for more than just warding off evil. Both ends of this particular object were noticeably smoother, indicating 'repeated contact over time' possibly in a sexual context. Alternatively, it may have been used as a pestle to grind ingredients for cosmetics or medicines. Another possibility is it was slotted into a statue which passers-by would've touched for good luck or to absorb or get protection from misfortune – common throughout the Roman Empire. Ancient Roman graffiti at Vindolanda also includes phallic engravings along with insulting text calling someone a 's***ter'. Researchers discovered a large phallus and an inscription which brands a Roman soldier called Secundinus a 's***ter' at the historic site, dating back 1,700 years Previously, archaeologists found a handwritten birthday invitation at Vindolanda where one woman invited her 'dearest sister' to join her. Today, Vindolanda is somewhat less famous than Hadrian's Wall, the former defensive fortification begun in AD 122 during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Although first built by the Roman army before Hadrian's Wall, Vindolanda became the wall's construction and garrison base. Experts think Vindolanda was demolished and completely re-built no fewer than nine times, each rebuild leaving a distinctive mark on the landscape. Vindolanda's archaeological site and museum, which houses many of its discovered artefacts, is open to the public seven days a week. WHAT IS VINDOLANDA AND WHAT WAS ITS ROLE IN ROMAN BRITAIN? Vindolanda is a Roman fort south of Hadrian's Wall in northern England. Soldiers stationed there guarded the Roman road from the River Tyne to Solway Firth. Wooden tablets were discovered there which are considered the most important examples of military and private correspondence found anywhere in the Roman Empire. The garrison was home to auxiliary infantry and cavalry units - not parts of Roman legions. Roman boots, shoes, armours, jewellery, coins and tablets have all been found there. In 2006, a richly-decorated silver brooch featuring the figure of Mars was found. It belonged to Quintus Sollonius, a Gaul, whose name was inscribed on the brooch.
The Independent
30-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
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.
