In 1992, a wooden object resembling a male penis was found at a Roman archaeological site in the UK. For decades, archaeologists have searched for its use, reports The Guardian. The two-thousand-year-old object may have been used as a sex instrument. “I have to admit,” says Rob Collins, senior lecturer in archeology at Newcastle University, “part of me thinks it’s obvious it’s a penis. »
Representations of penises were ubiquitous in the Roman world, whether in mosaics, frescoes, decoration of pots or pendants worn around the neck. Vindolanda’s phallus is 16 centimeters long but, according to the researchers, it was probably larger because the wood is prone to shrinking and warping.
The object was examined by researchers from Newcastle University and University College Dublin. Analysis has revealed that this is the earliest known example of a phallus found in the Roman world. The phallus was found in a ditch along with dozens of shoes and clothing accessories as well as craft waste such as leather scraps and worked wood. Which explains why it was considered a working tool at first. “What makes this a first is that it’s not a miniature phallus,” said Rob Collins. “He’s life-size. This is important because wood does not normally survive…” he added.
The research team came up with three possible theories. The first is that the object was used for sexual purposes. This could mean it was a sex toy, although some caution is warranted, according to Rob Collins. Sometimes phalluses were not used for pleasure. They could be instruments of torture. The second theory is that the object was used as a pestle, either for culinary purposes or to grind cosmetic or medicinal ingredients. Its size would have made it easy to use and its shape would have given the food or ingredients specific properties.
The third option is that it was meant to fit into a statue that passers-by would touch for good luck. If so, the statue would likely have been located near the entrance to a significant building. Researchers hope that Vindolanda’s phallus will spur searches for similar objects when new discoveries are made. In the meantime, the object has been exhibited at the Vindolanda Museum.
