A perfectly preserved Roman statue which was deliberately buried 1,600 years ago has been unearthed near Hadrian’s Wall.
The 1.5 ft-high figure carved from sandstone is a ‘protective spirit’, also known as a ‘genius’, which is displayed like a shrine to invoke security and wealth.
The statue was discovered at Vindolanda Fort in Northumberland, England, hidden under the floor of what was a military barracks.
Archeologist Dr. Andrew Birley came across the “incredibly rare” Roman Genius during a dig on June 16.
“I was completely unprepared for what I found on this stone,” Birley recalled after he spotted a flagstone with an unusual shape while digging.
“My first thought was simply, ‘Who on earth am I looking at?’”
Thankfully, the region is rich with scholars knowledgeable about Hadrian’s Wall, which stretches 73 miles across northern England coast to coast at the narrowest point of the country—built starting in 122 AD as a sort-of border to mark the northwest frontier of the Roman Empire during the reign of Emperor Hadrian.
Dr. Birley soon learned the significance of the discovery.
“The unanimous response came back within hours: we had uncovered a previously unknown relief of a Genius—the protective spirit of a place.”
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The figure is holding a cornucopia, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
It was found beneath the floor of the fort’s 4th Century infantry barracks building, which was built atop an earlier military structure.
Archaeology magazine reported that Dr. Birley is the third generation of his family to lead work at the Vindolanda Roman settlement—going back nearly one hundred years at one of the best preserved Roman sites in Britain.
While inscriptions dedicated to a Genius are relatively common across Roman Britain—reflecting the widespread worship of these protective spirits—surviving carved stone reliefs are rare.
“As archaeologists, moments like these are incredibly rare,” said Birley.
“We feel privileged to have uncovered and preserved such an important part of the site’s story.”
The sculpture is now undergoing conservation and will go on public display in the on site museum.
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