Amateur archaeologist has found a beautifully crafted miniature bronze figure of the Roman goddess Ceres at Arbeia Roman Fort in South Shields, UK.
Councilor Alan Kerr at Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum and the bronze figure of Ceres. Image credit: South Tyneside Council.
Standing above the entrance to the River Tyne, Arbeia Roman Fort guarded the main sea route to Hadrian’s Wall, a Roman fortification in northern England.
Ceres was the goddess of agriculture, grain and fertility which is a highly appropriate goddess for Arbeia because it was a key garrison and military supply base where thousands of tons of grain were stored in granaries to feed the army stationed along the Wall.
The find is thought to be a mount from a larger piece of furniture.
“At first I didn’t believe the goddess was real since the condition seemed pristine and the detail was incredible, but then our site supervisor fell eerily-quiet triggering a hum of authentic excitement,” said Amanda Seim, an amateur archaeologist who found the figure.
“This is a marvelous discovery for South Tyneside,” added Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council.
“It is brilliant that discoveries such as this are still being made at Arbeia,” he said.
“Thousands of years after the site was used to support the army stationed along Hadrian’s Wall.”
“This is a really exciting and fitting discovery for us at Arbeia Roman Fort,” said Geoff Woodward, manager at Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum.
“I hope younger visitors in particular will be inspired to visit and join us for our summer school archaeology days.”
