Stunned diggers unearth 1,800-year-old Roman carved head and gem depicting god of the countryside at web site close to Hadrian’s Wall
A beautiful carved head and an exquisite gem that depicts Silvanus, god of the countryside, are among many exciting Roman discoveries of the early 3rd century that have just been unearthed at a site in modern-day Carlisle, near Hadrian’s Wall.
There is also a ring set with a gem decorated with an image of a rat nibbling at a poppy seed, engraved in astonishing detail despite its minuscule size.
Frank Giecco, a leading expert on Roman Britain who is heading the excavation, told MailOnline that these have ‘literally just come out the ground’.
The area has already proved an archaeological gold-mine, with more than 5,000 significant finds unearthed by Mr Giecco and his archaeology team.
As MailOnline reported in 2023, two sculpted Roman heads of the 2nd century were discovered by an American retired nurse who had joined his excavation as a volunteer. Carolyn Veit enjoyed beginner’s luck on her first-ever archaeological dig – finding a sculpture that is thought to depict Fortuna, the goddess of luck.
Those finds are believed to have been part of a magnificent fountain or sculpture that was once inside an opulent Roman bathhouse at a site that is today the cricket club in Carlisle.
The Roman carved bust depicts Silvanus, god of the countryside
Silvanus is clearly depicted in this carnelian example with a figure holding what looks like a pruning knife
There is also a ring set with a gem decorated with an image of a rat nibbling at a poppy seed
The area has already proved an archaeological gold-mine, with more than 5,000 significant finds unearthed so far
Previous finds made by Mr Giecco’s team have included an astonishing collection of around 70 semi-precious gemstones, recovered from the drain of that bathhouse, almost 2,000 years after their owners lost them
The images of some of the pieces can be difficult to identify and are currently being examined by experts
The latest excavation, about three meters deep, is at the south side of the road that runs in front of the bath house, about 20 meters south
It is next to the most important Roman fort on Hadrian’s Wall, the empire’s northern frontier, which house an elite cavalry unit.
Previous finds made by Mr Giecco’s team have included an astonishing collection of around 70 semi-precious gemstones, recovered from the drain of that bathhouse, almost 2,000 years after their owners lost them.
These were intaglios, engraved semi-precious and precious stones measuring between 3mm to 15mm in length. They were worn by men and women and were valuable items even in their day – the second or third century – as their decoration boasted the finest craftsmanship.
The vegetable adhesive keeping them in their ring settings is thought to have been weakened in the steamy baths, causing them to fall out. Their owners would no doubt have been distraught to lose them.
The earlier discoveries include hundreds of coins and more than 30 gaming counters, made of bone and other materials, reflecting the Romans’ love of board games, and hundreds of hair pins and needles, also lost by their owners down those drains, which show that the bathhouse was also used by women.
The latest excavation, about three meters deep, is at the south side of the road that runs in front of the bath house, about 20 meters south.
The sculpted woman’s head is now being studied. Whether it represents a goddess or another figure is yet to be determined
Roman vases have also been uncovered at the excavation site in Carlisle near Hadrian’s Wall
Some coins were found during the latest dig at the site near a golf club in Carlisle
A stone was also found at the site which had beautiful purple colouring hiding inside
Coins were uncovered depicting different gods, giving some insight into life in the Roman era
An ornate broach was also uncovered as part of the dig, which has uncovered a huge amount of treasures
Other new discoveries include at least two mysterious platforms in a square area. One theory is that ritual activities could have been staged there. Another is that this was part of a mausoleum
The sculpted woman’s head is now being studied. Whether it represents a goddess or another figure is yet to be determined.
Other new discoveries include at least two mysterious platforms in a square area. One theory is that ritual activities could have been staged there. Another is that this was part of a mausoleum.
Mr Giecco said of the square: ‘It’s probably three meters by three meters. It’s a base for a something. It’s enigmatic. We don’t really know what that is yet. But the weirdest thing is that we’ve got just masses of beautifully-decorated Samian [pottery, a type of fancy Roman tableware] from this season.’
There are ‘beautiful’ bowls with depictions of Venus and Cupid, a figurine of another goddess, and a coin depicting the Emperor Hadrian, ‘the most beautiful coin we’ve had since we’ve been on site’, Mr Giecco said.
There is also evidence of a large timber building overlooking the ritual area but, partly due to the poor weather, that will have to wait for the next excavation, funding permitting.
Mr Giecco spoke of his excitement over the latest finds: ‘The site never fails to amaze me.’
