Vindolanda Phallus: 2,000 Year Old Artefact

This 2,000 year old wooden phallus was discovered in a ditch at Vindolanda, a Roman fort just south of Hadrian's Wall.

The Vindolanda phallus is an extremely rare survival, in fact, it is believed to be the only example from Roman Britain.

Wooden objects would have been commonplace in the ancient world, but only survive in very particular conditions.

Both ends of the object were noticeably smoother, indicating that it had been frequently used over time.

There are several theories about what it was used for, but it’s thought to have been used as a device during sex, archaeologists suggest.

If this is correct, it would be the only known example of a non-miniaturised wooden phallus from Roman times.

It was initially identified as a darning tool, as it was discovered alongside numerous shoes, dress accessories, and other small tools.

However, research by experts from Newcastle University has revealed that it is, in fact, the first known example of a disembodied wooden phallus found anywhere in the Roman world.

Phalli were common throughout the Roman Empire and were widely believed to offer protection from bad luck.

They appeared in various forms, such as painted frescoes, mosaics, and decorations on objects like knife handles or pottery.

Small, portable phalli, often made of bone or metal, were also worn as pendants.

The object, originally unearthed at Vindolanda in 1992, may have had a purpose beyond simply warding off evil.

The analysis showed that both ends of the phallus were notably smoother, suggesting it had been handled frequently over time.

In a paper published in Antiquity, the research team proposed three possible functions for the object.

One theory is that it was used as a sexual implement.

Another possibility is that it functioned as a pestle, perhaps for grinding food, cosmetics, or medicinal ingredients.

Its size would have made it easy to hold, and its shape could have been thought to imbue the prepared items with magical properties.

The third hypothesis is that the object was part of a statue, which people might have touched for good luck or to gain protection from misfortune, a common practice across the Roman Empire.

If this were the case, the statue would likely have been located near the entrance to a significant building, such as the commanding officer’s house or headquarters.

However, evidence suggests the object was not kept in a public, exposed location, but rather indoors or in a more private setting.

Speaking about the artefact, Dr Rob Sands, Lecturer in Archaeology, University College Dublin, said: “Wooden objects would have been commonplace in the ancient world.

”But they only survive in very particular conditions – in northern Europe normally in dark, damp, and oxygen free deposits.

”So, the Vindolanda phallus is an extremely rare survival.

”It survived for nearly 2000 years to be recovered by the Vindolanda Trust because preservation conditions have so far remained stable.

”However, climate change and altering water tables mean that the survival of objects like this are under ever increasing threat.”

The phallus is now on display in the Vindolanda museum.

The Vindolanda Museum showcases many of the discoveries made during excavations, including some of the Vindolanda Tablets, and offers educational exhibits on Roman Britain.

Visitors can explore the ruins of the fort, walk along parts of the Hadrian’s Wall path, and see the remains of the bathhouse and other Roman structures.

The site also hosts regular archaeological digs, and visitors often have the opportunity to watch archaeologists at work.

Vindolanda itself is one of the most significant and well-preserved Roman sites in Britain, offering a fascinating glimpse into life along the Roman frontier.

Located near the modern village of Bardon Mill in Northumberland, it sits just south of Hadrian’s Wall, the iconic defensive structure built by the Romans in the early 2nd century AD to mark the northernmost boundary of the Roman Empire in Britain.

It functioned as a key military base, part of the extensive Roman infrastructure that stretched across the northern frontier of Roman Britain.

Vindolanda's primary role was as a fort for soldiers, but over time it evolved into a thriving civilian settlement (vicus) that housed merchants, craftsmen, and families of soldiers.

The site includes several layers of occupation and development, which have been uncovered through extensive excavation over the past few decades.

This long history of use and occupation has made Vindolanda a treasure trove for archaeologists.

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