1,800-Year-Old Roman Bone Phallus Unearthed in Dutch Archaeological Treasure Trove

A rare Roman bone phallus, at least 1,800 years old, has been uncovered in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The 8-inch artefact was found during a major project to unpack thousands of archaeological boxes from the region. Officials have called the discoveries an 'enormous treasure trove' of Roman history. The bone phallus was unearthed among 16,000 crates of archaeological finds in Nijmegen, once known as Noviomagus—the oldest city in the Netherlands. Unlike most Roman phalluses, which were typically made from metal or stone, this one is crafted from bone. Such objects often symbolised good luck, protection, and virility in ancient Rome.

The project, focused on Gelderland province, has already revealed a wealth of Roman artefacts. Among them is a drinking cup with a smiling face, believed to have come from a nearby Roman army camp. Other finds include well-preserved orange-red cups and bowls, made using a mold-pressing technique around 2,000 years ago. Over 15,700 boxes still need to be unpacked, documented, and repacked. Experts estimate the full process will take around six years to complete.

The discoveries highlight the rich and varied Roman history of Gelderland. The bone phallus and other artefacts will now be studied further. Meanwhile, the project continues, with thousands more boxes yet to be examined.