Site proves it is fertile territory for Roman finds

An inch-long phallus discovered during excavations at a Roman fort in Northumberland has been described as a "wonderful little artefact".

- DANIEL HALL

In Roman times, the phallic symbol was widely used as a lucky charm, to ward off evil and for fertility. And this find from Hadrian's Wall’s Vindolanda Roman Fort, which comes in at around 2.5cm, shows that size really doesn’t matter.

Andrew Birley, director of excavations at Vindolanda, told The Journal: "This little jet pendant was lost at sometime in the early 4th century when the barrack wall in which it was found was constructed.