Archaeologists have discovered a ‘guardian spirit’ sculpture dating back to the Roman Empire, hidden beneath an ancient military site in the English countryside for 1,600 years.
The sandstone statue was found in near-perfect condition during excavations of the barracks at the former Roman fortress of Vindolanda in Northumberland near Hadrian’s Wall. According to Antiquities News.
The statue of the spirit – called the “genius” by the Romans – was found on June 16 under a slab of stone, which had protected it from the elements for sixteen centuries.
No one knows why the relics are hidden there.
Dr Andrew Burley, director of the excavation, said: “As archaeologists, moments like this are extremely rare, and we feel proud to have discovered and preserved such an important part of the site’s story.” He told the BBC.
“It was as if Vindolanda himself reached out to the team and calmly said: ‘We agree with what you are doing,'” Burley said.
Burleigh initially did not know who or what the statue was, but scholars of Hadrian’s Wall identified it as a guardian spirit whom the Romans called Genius.
The report said that the statue holds in one of its hands an overflowing abundance of food, which is a symbol of prosperity.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said that on the other hand, she was carrying a sacrificial plate.
The statue is believed to have been carved locally and is currently undergoing detailed examination before it is put on display to the public at the museum in Hexham.
The Vindolanda charity believes the mysterious figure could offer an insight into the lives and religious beliefs of soldiers stationed at the castle in the fourth century.