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Fox News
5 days ago
- Fox News
Couple unearths 'highly revered' Ancient Roman rarity during volunteer dig at tourist site
Volunteers recently unearthed an ancient depiction of a Roman goddess while digging near a historic British landmark. The sandstone carving was found at Vindolanda, a fort in Northumberland, near Hadrian's Wall. In a May 21 press release, the Vindolanda Trust identified the depiction as Victoria, the goddess of victory in Roman mythology. The artifact was uncovered by Jim and Dilys Quinlan, a couple from Merseyside who have volunteered in countless excavations over the past two decades. The pair found the artifact in a pile of rubble near former infantry barracks. Pictures show the proud volunteers smiling next to their discovery in the rubble pile. The organization said Victoria was the counterpart of the Greek goddess Nike, and was worshiped in Ancient Rome. "Victoria was highly revered by the Ancient Romans. During times of war, she was often credited for battlefield success," the statement read. Hadrian's Wall was built under the Ancient Romans, who successfully invaded Britain in 43 A.D. under Emperor Claudius. Previous attempts by Julius Caesar failed, and the Romans were able to establish long-lasting British settlements in the first century A.D. Under Emperor Hadrian, Hadrian's Wall began construction in 122 A.D. to protect the northern border of the province of Brittania from the Picts, who lived in southern Scotland. "It is highly likely that this stone would have originally been brightly painted." The barracks were built in 213 A.D., which was a "tumultuous time" due to the Severan wars ending shortly earlier, according to the Vindolanda Trust. "The barracks were once adorned with a large ornamental arch and gate, precisely the location where an inscription may have been present," the statement noted. "The relief of Victory is poignant, representing the end of the war and the establishment of the fort at the site." Experts believe that the recently discovered stone was part of a significantly larger work, and may have been painted in vibrant colors. "It is highly likely that this stone would have originally been brightly painted," Vindolanda Trust curator Barbara Birley observed. She added, "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." In a statement, Vindolanda Trust director of excavations Andrew Birley said that similar finds from Roman Britain are "increasingly rare these days." "[T]he 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 expert noted. Birley added, "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 piece is set to go on display at the Vindolanda museum next year. Due to the vast amount of influence the Ancient Romans had in the British Isles, Roman-era discoveries are not unheard of, to be sure. An archaeologist recently found an unusual eight-sided Ancient Roman ring in a former drainage ditch in Lincolnshire. A few months earlier, a Roman grave filled with gypsum was found during a highway construction project in England.
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The Independent
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Ancient sandstone sculpture found in pile of rubble
Amateur archaeologists unearthed a rare sandstone sculpture of the Roman goddess of victory at Vindolanda fort near Hadrian's Wall. The discovery was made in a reused pile of rubble by veteran volunteers Jim and Dilys Quinlan during their 21st year on the site's excavation program. The sculpture, believed to mark the end of an ancient Roman war, is thought to be one side of a larger relief that likely framed an inscription and was brightly painted. Vindolanda, a Roman fort built before Hadrian's Wall, served as a crucial construction and garrison base and was under Roman occupation between 85 AD and 370 AD. The sculpture will be displayed at the Vindolanda museum in 2026 as part of its Recent Finds exhibition.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Vindolanda Roman fort dig uncovers carved sandstone of goddess Victory
A sandstone carving, believed to be a representation of the Roman goddess of victory, has been discovered near Hadrian's was uncovered by volunteers in a reused pile of rubble above infantry barracks at the Vindolanda Roman settlement in Hexham, known in Latin as Victoria, was revered by the ancient Romans during times of war and was often credited for battlefield and Dilys Quinlan, from Merseyside, were in their 21st year of volunteering at the site when they made the discovery. Excavation work is carried out annually at the Roman site and the couple found the artefact on 1 Andrew Birley, director of excavations for the Vindolanda Trust, said it was a "reward for their 21 years of hard work and dedication". The stone is thought to be one side of a much larger relief which would have framed an inscription in its would have represented the end of Severan wars and the establishment of the fort at the site in the 3rd Century, Vindolanda Birley said symbolism would have been a vital part of the culture for the soldiers there almost 2,000 years trust's curator Barbara Birley said it was "highly likely" the stone would have been brightly team will work with specialists to see if any traces of the pigment remain."For now, the relief is being stored unwashed ready for that further analysis," Ms Birley carving is set to go on public display in early 2026 at the Vindolanda museum. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
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The Independent
22-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Amateur archaeologists discover rare winged goddess sculpture near Sycamore Gap
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.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
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.
