Ancient Roman Phallus Artifact Discovered in Northern England May Have Been a Sexual Tool An unearthed ancient Roman artifact shaped like a ...

Ancient Roman Phallus Artifact Discovered in Northern England May Have Been a Sexual Tool

An unearthed ancient Roman artifact shaped like a penis, believed to have been used for clitoral stimulation, could be a sex toy dating back to almost 2,000 years ago, according to a new study. Discovered in 1992 at the Roman Fort of Vindolanda in northern England, the artifact had initially been identified as a darning tool, along with dozens of shoes, dress accessories, small tools, and craft waste products. However, recent studies and closer inspection by researchers have confirmed the artifact to be a disembodied phallus.

The findings were published in the journal Antiquity, wherein the researchers detailed the possible functions of the artifact, which could have been used for pleasure or as a tool for torture and to assert dominance. The object, which is 160 millimeters long, is the only known example of a “non-miniaturized” wooden phallus from Roman times, according to the study.

The study’s co-author, Rob Collins, a senior lecturer in archaeology at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, told CNN that, “We shouldn’t be surprised by this. We know from Roman art and Roman literature that they used dildos, that they existed. But we haven’t found any examples archaeologically yet.” He added that such objects were not commonly found in archaeological finds since they were likely to have been made from organic materials, which did not routinely survive.

While the object could have been used for sexual pleasure, it might also have been used by slave owners to assert dominance over enslaved people, according to the researchers. Additionally, the artifact may have had multiple purposes, such as acting as a pestle for grinding or mixing materials for cooking, cosmetics, ointments, or medicines. The phallus shape could have symbolically added protection or potency to whatever was being prepared, with the act of grinding being the vehicle through which magic was believed to be activated.

The carved object's small size and portability could also have made it common as a pendant, probably to avert evil or bad luck, according to the study. The artifact, which was carved from young ash roundwood, with a wide base and narrow tip, had greater wear at both its ends than in the middle. The object being smoother at both ends than in the middle, likely due to oils from the skin and repeated gripping, suggests that the most contact occurred in those areas. Thus, the phallus could have been slotted into a structure, statue, or another object, where it was touched by passers-by for good luck or to gain protection from misfortune. This ritual was common throughout the Roman Empire, according to the release.

Although the artifact could have been used for several purposes, such as for clitoral stimulation, torture, or grinding, the researchers admit that it is challenging to determine its exact use after so many years. Nonetheless, the discovery of the artifact raises questions about how the ancient Romans viewed sex and sexuality and their perception of phalluses.

As researchers continue to uncover ancient artifacts, we can gain a better understanding of the beliefs and practices of past cultures, and how they compare to modern ones. The discovery of the artifact in northern England is a testament to how even objects as simple as a phallus could hold multiple meanings in the past.