A small fragment of a Roman figurine, thought to show the “backside” of the goddess Venus, has been found during excavations at Bodiam Castle. The discovery is one of several items uncovered as part of a project exploring the land around the well-known medieval site.
The work is being carried out to mark 100 years since the National Trust took over the care of the castle. Although the 14th-century building is widely studied, the surrounding landscape has not been examined in the same detail. Archaeologists involved in the dig are trying to build a clearer picture of how the area was used long before the castle was built, particularly during the Roman period.
The excavation has been led by Nathalie Cohen, a National Trust archaeologist and President of the Royal Archaeological Institute. She and her team have been working with volunteers over the past two years to investigate buried remains across the site, with attention focused on activity near the River Rother.
The Venus fragment was found by volunteer Abigail Winslow. Made from pipeclay, it would once have formed part of a small statuette. Specialists believe it dates to the 2nd century AD and was produced in Central Gaul. While similar figurines have been discovered before, they are not common in Britain.
Dr Matthew Fittock, who studies Roman ceramic figurines, said the piece likely came from a standard design showing Venus standing with one hand holding a garment and the other touching her hair. Even though Venus figures are among the more familiar types, only a few hundred have been recorded across Roman Britain. Finds like this help researchers understand aspects of belief and daily life in the region at the time.
Other items uncovered during the dig point to continued Roman activity in the area. Tiles stamped with the mark of the Classis Britannica have been identified, suggesting a connection to the Roman navy. Fragments of pottery, glass, and building materials have also been found, most of them dating from between the 2nd and 4th centuries.
One of the more unusual finds is part of a Roman “face pot,” a type of vessel decorated with human features. Another piece of pottery with a figurative design has been dated to the late 4th or early 5th century. Together, these objects suggest the area remained in use over a long period.
The excavation is part of the “Bodiam 100” project, which involves researchers from the University College London Institute of Archaeology and Archaeology South-East, along with local archaeology groups. Volunteers have played a large part in the work, contributing thousands of hours to digging, recording finds, and speaking with visitors.
Financial support has come from several organisations, including the Roman Society and the Council for British Archaeology South-East.
Some of the artefacts, including the Venus fragment, are now on display at the Castle Cottage Museum at Bodiam. The excavation is due to continue through August, with visitors able to take part in guided tours and learn more about the discoveries from the team working on site.
Sources : National Trust
