Discovery of a Roman Genius at Vindolanda
An impeccably preserved Roman sculpture, intentionally concealed 1,600 years ago, has been uncovered in the vicinity of Hadrian's Wall. The 1.5ft sandstone carving depicts a 'protective spirit' or 'genius', traditionally exhibited as a shrine to summon safety and prosperity.
The artefact was unearthed at Vindolanda Fort near Hexham, Northumberland, concealed beneath a barrack floor. Archaeologist Dr Andrew Birley discovered the "incredibly rare" Roman Genius - the first such find at the location - during excavations on June 16.
He said: "I was completely unprepared for what I found on the other side of this stone. My first thought was simply, 'Who on earth am I looking at?'"
"Thankfully, Hadrian's Wall is home to an incredible community of generous and knowledgeable scholars. The unanimous response came back within hours: we had uncovered a previously unknown relief of a Genius - the protective spirit of a place."
Details of the Carving
The sculpture depicts the figure clutching a cornucopia, representing abundance and prosperity, alongside a patera, a shallow vessel employed in ceremonial offerings. It emerged from beneath the floor of the fort's fourth-century infantry barracks, which had been constructed atop an earlier military installation.
While inscriptions devoted to a Genius appear relatively frequently throughout Roman Britain, demonstrating the extensive veneration of these guardian spirits, surviving stone relief carvings remain exceptionally scarce by comparison. Dr Birley continued: "As archaeologists, moments like these are incredibly rare, and we feel privileged to have uncovered and preserved such an important part of the site's story."
Preservation and Display
The artefact is currently undergoing preservation work and will subsequently be exhibited to visitors at the on-site museum.
