Archaeologists believe they may have found the only known life-size Roman dildo, discovered in a ditch on the extreme northern edge of the empire.
When not used as a sexual tool, the 2,000-year-old object could have been an erect penis-shaped pestle, or it could have been a feature on a statue that people touched for good luck.
What it definitely is not is what it was cataloged as after its discovery at Roman Fort Vindolanda in Northumberland in 1992: a tamping tool.
“I have to admit,” said Rob Collins, a lecturer in archeology at Newcastle University, “a part of me takes for granted that it’s a penis. I don’t know who put it in the catalogue. Maybe someone was uncomfortable or didn’t think the Romans would do such stupid things.”
If they thought so, they couldn’t be more wrong, for two- and three-dimensional representations of phalluses were ubiquitous in the Roman world, whether in mosaics, frescoes, pot decorations, or pendants worn around the neck.
The Vindolanda phallus is 16 cm long, but researchers say it was probably larger because archaeological wood tends to shrink and warp.
It was studied by researchers from Newcastle University and University College Dublin. Analysis has shown that this is at least the first known example of a disembodied wooden phallus found anywhere in the Roman world.
The phallus was found in a ditch along with dozens of shoes and clothing accessories, as well as craft waste products such as leather scraps and worked antlers – perhaps a reason why it is considered a darning tool.
“What makes this a first is that it’s not a miniature little phallus,” Collins said. “It’s life-size. It’s also important because wood doesn’t usually survive… we couldn’t find any parallels.”
The size and uncertainty of the feature is fascinating, he said. “In archaeology, when we find an object, we can often tell what it was used for or deduce what it was used for. That was not the case with this property. We had to cast our nets far when considering what a six and a half inch wood carving of a phallus would be used for.
“We had some very interesting conversations.”
Ancient phallic objects were often used to ward off evil. Analysis showed that the Vindolanda phallus had noticeably smoother ends, suggesting it was used for something over a longer period of time.
The team have put forward three possible theories, all outlined in a lengthy discussion paper published in Antiquity magazine.
One theory is that it was used for sexual reasons. That could mean it’s a sex toy, although some caution is needed, Collins said.
“Sometimes her [dildos] weren’t always used for pleasure…they can be instruments of torture, so I use the term sex toys very consciously. Hopefully that’s what it was used for. This is the most exciting and fascinating possibility.
“In that case, to our knowledge, it would be the first Roman dildo found in archaeology. We know from Greek and Roman poetry and Greek and Roman art that they used dildos. But we didn’t find any archaeological examples, which in itself is fascinating.
“If that’s what it is, and it’s found up here on the northern edge of the Empire and not down in the rich heartland of Roman Italy… it’s kind of amazing.”
Theory two states that the object was used as a pestle, either for culinary purposes or for grinding cosmetic or medicinal ingredients. Its size would have made it easier to use and the shape would have given supposed magical properties to the food or ingredients.
The third option was that it should be placed in a statue that passers-by would touch for good luck or to absorb or activate protection from bad luck – which was common practice throughout the Roman Empire.
If that were the case, the statue would probably have been near the entrance of an important building, but the evidence suggests that the phallus was either inside or at least not outside in an exposed position for any length of time.
Researchers hope the Vindolanda phallus will stimulate a search for similar objects in other collections. It is now on display in the Vindolanda Museum.
Don’t miss interesting posts on Famousbio
