Ancient sandstone sculpture found in pile of rubble

23 May 2025 • 9:43 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Amateur archaeologists unearthed a rare sandstone sculpture of the Roman goddess of victory at Vindolanda fort near Hadrian's Wall.
  • The discovery was made in a reused pile of rubble by veteran volunteers Jim and Dilys Quinlan during their 21st year on the site's excavation program.
  • The sculpture, believed to mark the end of an ancient Roman war, is thought to be one side of a larger relief that likely framed an inscription and was brightly painted.
  • Vindolanda, a Roman fort built before Hadrian's Wall, served as a crucial construction and garrison base and was under Roman occupation between 85 AD and 370 AD.
  • The sculpture will be displayed at the Vindolanda museum in 2026 as part of its Recent Finds exhibition.

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