The Roman sex toy, or pestle, or both, was found in 1992 at the site of Vindolanda Fort
The Romans are famous for their sexual proclivities, with art, lore and literature depicting a wildly lusty and often lewd society.
Now, for the first time, scientists have found a Roman sex toy buried near Hadrian’s Wall for almost 2,000 years.
The 6.2-inch (15.7 cm) long wooden phallus was discovered at the site of Vindolanda Fort in 1992, but was originally believed to be a darning tool and has never been studied in detail.
A new analysis by scientists from Newcastle University and University College Dublin claims the life-size object could be a sex toy, but could also be a pestle or a lucky charm.
“This is the first known carved wooden phallus of this size, not just from Roman Britain but from anywhere in the Roman world, as far as we know,” said Dr. Rob Collins, Senior Lecturer in Archeology at Newcastle University, told The Telegraph.
“If the phallus is a sex object, then it would also be the first known sex object from the Roman Empire.
“Significantly, we know from Roman art and literature that sex objects, particularly dildos, were made and used. However, until now we have had no physical specimens of such objects.”
Barbara Birley, curator of the Vindolanda Trust, says the item may be the only Roman sex toy to have survived to this day.
“The wooden phallus may currently be unique in its survival from this period, but it is unlikely that it was the only one of its kind used at this location, along the frontier, or actually in Roman Britain,” she said.
Fascinating in size and appearance
The size and appearance of the object are fascinating, says Dr. Collins, and while its exact purpose is unknown, he believes it could very well be a sexual instrument.
The phallic object is made from young ash logs, has a broad cylindrical base and a narrower shaft.
“The glans is distinguished from the shaft by a 27 mm long incised crescent-shaped line (1-3 mm wide) that extends a little over half (approximately 55 percent) the circumference of the upper shaft,” the scientists write in their published Work in the journal Antiquity.
They add that archaeological wood “is prone to shrinking and warping,” with the object likely being larger than its current size when used in a Roman household.
Both sides of the object were proven to be smooth and less so in the middle, indicating that both ends were well used.
change of purpose
According to the experts, it is also possible that the purpose of the object has changed over time. For example, it might have started out as a pestle before later becoming a sex toy, or vice versa.
“A great deal of new research would be required if we were to scientifically prove that the object was used in sexual activity,” said Dr. Collins.
“For example, depending on the material of the sex object, what [if any] biological evidence from its use by humans could survive?
“To what extent could this evidence survive buried in the ground for over 2,000 years? As the object is in its current state and was recovered nearly 30 years ago, these were not research aspects that we could pursue in this case.”
The soil at Vindolanda is perfect for preserving items that would otherwise have long since fallen into disrepair, with leather boxing gloves and wooden writing tablets previously found in excellent condition.
No oxygen is present in the soil that completely encloses and preserves perishable items for millennia, creating perfect preservation conditions.
dr Rob Sands, Lecturer in Archeology at University College Dublin, said: “Wooden objects were commonplace in antiquity but only survive under very specific conditions – typically in dark, damp and oxygen-free deposits in northern Europe. So, the Vindolanda phallus is an extremely rare survival.
“It survived almost 2,000 years to be recovered by the Vindolanda Trust because preservation conditions have remained stable so far. However, climate change and changing groundwater levels mean that the survival of such objects is increasingly threatened.”
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