A bone phallus, estimated to be up to 2000 years old, has been unearthed at the Valkhof Museum in the Netherlands. This rare phallic charm originates from the Roman era; typically, such items were crafted from stone or metal. Eight million euros have been allocated for the study of the collection recovered from Nijmegen.
During the examination of numerous crates containing Roman artifacts in the Netherlands, an extraordinary 20-centimeter-long bone phallus — an amulet familiar in antiquity — was discovered. The press office of the Valkhof Museum announced that the artifact’s age falls between 1800 and 2000 years.
Phallic symbols held considerable importance within Roman society. They were carried as protective talismans and also placed near doorways to ward off malevolent spirits. What makes this particular find unique is its composition: the artifact is made of bone material, whereas these objects were usually fashioned from either stone or metal. Another unusual example, a wooden piece measuring 16 centimeters, was recovered from Vindolanda back in 1992.
A team of researchers has commenced the analysis of the extensive collection, amassed over 70 years of archaeological excavations in Nijmegen. The provincial government of Gelderland provided 8 million euros to fund this investigation. To date, specialists have completed the review of the first 300 boxes out of a total of 16,000.
Among other noteworthy finds from Nijmegen are pieces of orange-red pottery featuring relief carvings, one of which depicts a galloping stag, alongside a ceramic bowl bearing a human face. Such items became widespread throughout the Roman Empire during the time of the legions’ presence.
Late last year, a scientific team led by Professor Marcello Mogetta from the University of Missouri made a significant discovery within the boundaries of the ancient settlement of Gabii, situated just 18 kilometers from Rome. The scholars uncovered a monumental pool, which served to confirm the dating of the site to the 3rd century BC.
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