Rare Carving of Nude Horseman Unearthed at Roman Fort
Discovery and Significance
Amateur archaeologists Richie Milor and David Goldwater made a remarkable discovery during annual excavations at Vindolanda, a Roman fort in northern England. They unearthed a rare sandstone carving depicting a nude horseman, the first of its kind found at the site. The carving is believed to date back to the fourth century A.D.
Experts at the Vindolanda Charitable Trust are studying the carving to determine its significance. The lack of inscriptions or identifying marks makes it challenging to identify the figure depicted, but its attributes suggest it may represent either Mercury, the god of travel, or Mars, the god of war.
Attributes and Symbolism
The horseman’s nudity is a key clue in identifying the figure. According to historian Jeffrey M. Hurwit, nudity in ancient Greek and Roman art often symbolized divine or heroic status. The horseman’s spear, a common attribute of Mars, further supports this interpretation. However, the possibility of Mercury is raised by the presence of two circular features on the horseman’s head, which could represent wings, a symbol associated with the god.
Context and Speculation
The discovery of the carving near fourth-century calvary barracks suggests a connection to military deities. Soldiers stationed at Vindolanda may have created their own depiction of Mars or Mercury, or even a deity combining characteristics of both.
Historical Background
Vindolanda, located about a mile south of Hadrian’s Wall, was established as a permanent Roman outpost in the late 80s A.D. It played a crucial role during the construction of Hadrian’s Wall, providing supplies and workers. The fort was occupied by Roman soldiers until 370 A.D., when they withdrew as part of Rome’s departure from Britain.
Archaeological excavations at Vindolanda have yielded numerous notable finds, including wooden tablets with handwritten notes from Roman soldiers, sandals, combs, textiles, swords, arrowheads, ceramics, bronze statues, and even a leather mouse and boxing gloves.
Ongoing Research and Exhibition
The newly discovered horseman carving is a significant addition to Vindolanda’s archaeological treasures. Experts continue to study the carving, seeking to unravel its mysteries and shed light on the beliefs and practices of Roman soldiers stationed at the fort.
The carving will be exhibited at the Vindolanda Museum through September 24, providing visitors with an opportunity to view this rare and enigmatic artifact firsthand.