Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Disembodied wooden phallus could be a Roman sex toy
heritagedaily.com ^ | 2/20-/23 | Marcus Milligan

Posted on 02/21/2023 5:17:16 PM PST by martin_fierro

Archaeologists excavating at the Roman fort of Vindolanda have found a phallus made of wood, which may have been a Roman sex toy from almost 2,000-years-ago.

Vindolanda (translated as “white field” or “white moor”) was a Roman auxiliary fort, situated on the fringes of the Roman Empire near Hadrian’s Wall to guard a major highway called the Stanegate.

No less than nine Roman forts were built of timber or stone at Vindolanda from around AD 85 to AD 370, creating one of the most complex archaeological sites in Britain and a unique cultural legacy of frontier life.

The phallus was initially thought to be a darning tool, as it was uncovered in a 2nd century fort ditch alongside the remains of leather shoes, dress accessories, small tools and leather waste cut-offs.

However, a new analysis by researchers from Newcastle University and University College Dublin, have now suggested that the wooden artefact is a disembodied phallus used as a sex toy, the first known example discovered anywhere in the Roman world.

The Roman’s believed that the phallus was the embodiment of a masculine generative power, and was one of the tokens of the safety of the state (sacra Romana) giving protection and good fortune.

Across the length of Hadrian’s Wall and at military installations, 59 known etchings of male genitalia, otherwise known as a fascinus or fascinum were carved at various locations to symbolise the male phallus.

They were also often depicted in painted frescoes and mosaics, or formed part of the decoration of other objects such as being embellished onto a knife handle or incised into pottery. Small, portable phalli made of bone or metal were commonly worn as pendants around the neck.

In a study published in the journal Antiquity, the researchers explore three possible explanations for the phallus’ purpose – One being a sexual implement, another as a pestle, and the third being ornamental in function which could be slotted into a statue.

Dr Rob Collins, Senior Lecturer, Archaeology, Newcastle University, explains: “The size of the phallus and the fact that it was carved from wood raises a number of questions to its use in antiquity. We know that the Romans and Greeks used sexual implements – this object from Vindolanda could be an example of one.”


TOPICS: Heated Discussion
KEYWORDS: europe; ewwww; godsgravesglyphs; hadrianswall; hardonswall; mangledgenitals; romanempire; rome; vindolanda
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-40 last
To: martin_fierro

Ancient Louisville Slugger.


21 posted on 02/21/2023 5:50:02 PM PST by dynachrome (“We cannot save Ukraine by dooming the US economy.” Rand Paul)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

It looks a lot like a “mallet” used to form leather around a shape—like for shoes. From the picture it does not look like a sex toy..


22 posted on 02/21/2023 5:50:08 PM PST by abigkahuna (Honk Honk. It’s Clown World Out There. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

Pestle? The end looks worn, flattened.


23 posted on 02/21/2023 5:50:42 PM PST by gundog (It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

woody?


24 posted on 02/21/2023 5:53:02 PM PST by dontreadthis (sometime)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

I’ve seen stuff like that before...in X-rays...


25 posted on 02/21/2023 5:56:10 PM PST by Billthedrill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Billthedrill

TMI


26 posted on 02/21/2023 5:57:14 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

Joe Biden’s head.


27 posted on 02/21/2023 5:57:23 PM PST by dforest (All of America has derailed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

gay hammer sex goes way back.


28 posted on 02/21/2023 6:00:05 PM PST by csvset (tolerance becomes a crime when attached to evil)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

Too much info...😵‍💫🦴📏


29 posted on 02/21/2023 6:09:48 PM PST by Lockbar (Even when you think you finally have enough ammo, you still really don't have enough. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro
Or it's a screwdriver handle.

I'll bet the guy with the Snap-On Tools chariot is still trying to collect payments. ;-)

30 posted on 02/21/2023 6:19:41 PM PST by Charles Martel (Progressives are the crab grass in the lawn of life.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

Well, that’s why their civilization collapsed right there.


31 posted on 02/21/2023 6:20:28 PM PST by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

If it’s that old, it probably belonged to Helen Thomas in her youth.


32 posted on 02/21/2023 6:23:16 PM PST by patriot torch
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

Lucius the punisher.
Centurion of the Legio Legno


33 posted on 02/21/2023 6:27:40 PM PST by Adder (ALL Democrats are the enemy. NO QUARTER!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: John S Mosby

“The Romans left all their walls and abandoned an entire Legion there to rot without pay and try to meld into the population. Such was their devotion to the “empire” that was no more.”


sounds like America and Afghanistan or our southern border.


34 posted on 02/21/2023 6:37:47 PM PST by Karliner (Heb 4:12 Rom 8:28 Rev 3, "...This is the end of the beginning." Churchill)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

>>It looks a lot like a “mallet” used to form leather around a shape—like for shoes.

just what I was thinking

Click bait and wishful thinking, I imagine.


35 posted on 02/21/2023 6:48:41 PM PST by mairdie (Grandfather Jack Bell - miner, reporter, lawman, naturalist - https://youtu.be/Dnnb63UEk9c)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: abigkahuna

Basic multi function mallet. Only a pervert fag thinks it’s a sex toy.


36 posted on 02/21/2023 6:53:02 PM PST by wgmalabama (Censored!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

Check for DNA? Ew.


37 posted on 02/21/2023 10:35:20 PM PST by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

Check for DNA is a good idea!

I was reading an article where they found 10,000 year old rock tools near me. Even after all that time they were able to figure out they hunted bison, elk, salmon and some other stuff that had left traces of something on the rocks. I imagine wood would be even better.


38 posted on 02/21/2023 11:04:07 PM PST by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Vaquero

LOL!...................


39 posted on 02/22/2023 5:56:06 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Billthedrill
I’ve seen stuff like that before...in X-rays...

My first hospital job in 1985 was developing xray film on midnights for the ER trauma team.

So this guy comes in with 1&1/2 foot of a broken shovel handle up his ass. The radiologists were standing around the light box laughing.

The guy's excuse? "I fell on it".

I was all of 19 or 20 years old. Man did I learn alot...
40 posted on 02/22/2023 5:56:44 AM PST by farming pharmer (fork you :(){ :|:& };:)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-40 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson