Archaeologists have long known that the ancient Romans were interested in phallic images. The male genitalia is often seen in works of art as decorations and charms. However, a particular life-size wooden phallus that caught the attention of archaeologists made them question the knitting tool for which it was originally thought.
University College Dublin said in a statement that the phallus may be the “oldest Roman sex toy” ever found.
The wooden artifact is 6.3 inches (16 centimeters) long and dates back almost 2,000 years. It was found in a moat in the Roman fort of Vindolanda in England in 1992, but scientists have recently reconsidered it. The object carved from an ash tree was found along with shoes, dress accessories, and small tools, suggesting it was a kind of knitting patching tool.
A research team from University College Dublin and Newcastle University has published a study in the journal Antiquity that outlines three possible ways this wooden object might have been used. The strongest competitor to the idea of the knitting tool was its use as a sexual tool.
The object has a smooth surface and distinctive wear patterns at the tips. It shows signs of frequent use. These properties of the object may be consistent with its use as a pestle for grinding food ingredients or medicinal materials. Another option would be as a talisman attached to a statue or building, inviting passersby to touch it for good luck.
The researchers acknowledge the vague nature of the wooden object and note that mentioning ancient vibrators may offend modern audiences. “However, we must be prepared to acknowledge the presence of dildos or vibrators and the manifestation of sexual practices in the material culture of the past,” the authors write.
The object is on display at the Vindolanda museum in England…
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