Ancient Roman penis carving incredibly important, say English archaeologists
Maybe in a few millennia, archaeologists will uncover a drawing of a penis on the wall of a bus shelter and say: "Oh wow. A 21st century fertility symbol".
Because archaeologists in England have today revealed the "highly significant" discovery of a carved phallus dating back to Roman times.
The penis was carved into a millstone used to crush grain into flour.
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This millstone was excavated years ago, but it took archaeologists until recently to realise it had a penis carving on it. Highways England
The millstone was found in several pieces in 2017 and 2018 during a dig during a major road upgrade in Cambridgeshire.
But it is only recently that the millstone has been put back together and archaeologists realised what they were looking at.
"The phallus was seen as an important image of strength and virility in the Roman world," the project's head archaeologist Steve Sherlock said.
This penis carving is very important, archaeologists said. Highways England
Roman soldiers would often wear penis-shaped amulets for luck during battles.
The millstone is an estimated 2000 years old.
Decorated millstones and querns are extremely rare, which makes this phallus-shaped rock extra special.
Meanwhile, archaeologists have uncovered a figurine of about the same age of the Roman god of love, Cupid.
The bronze Cupid sculpture was probably used in a sacrifice. Highways England
The figurine was found during a dig related to the construction of another new highway.
The solid bronze statue showed the god with wings and a flaming torch.
It was found in a deposit of charcoal, which indicates it may have been used as a sacrifice to the gods.
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They also found an ornate brooch.
They also found a skeleton buried in an unusual pagan ceremony.
The skeleton was buried on a north-south axis, indicating it was a pre-Christian ceremony.
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It was also buried face-down, suggesting it may have been the grave of a criminal.
But the skeleton will be left in the grave and not studied further.
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