More about biggus dickus

[copper123]

A "highly significant" and rare carved Roman phallus has been discovered by archaeologists working on finds unearthed during a major road upgrade.

It was found on a broken millstone by experts along the route of the A14 in Cambridgeshire between 2017 and 2018.

However, it has only just been put back together, revealing the penis.

Archaeologists said it was one of only four known examples of Romano-British millstones decorated this way.

During work on Highways England's £1.5bn upgrade of the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon, more than 300 querns (hand mills) and millstones were recovered by archaeologists MOLA Headland Infrastructure, working with partners Oxford Archaeology.

The stone which recently revealed its genital markings had been preserved by being reversed and adapted for use as a bedstone, after being initially broken.

Decorated querns and millstones of any date are extremely rare, with only four such Roman millstones discovered from around a total of 20,000 nationwide, said Steve Sherlock, Highways England's archaeology lead for the A14.

He said phallic images were "seen as an important image of strength and virility in the Roman world, with it being common practice for legionaries to wear a phallus amulet, which would give them good luck before battle".

image copyrightHighways England

image captionDr Ruth Shaffrey with the millstone

"This millstone is important as it adds to the evidence for such images from Roman Britain.

"There were known associations between images of the phallus and milling, such as those found above the bakeries of Pompeii, one inscribed with 'Hic habitat felicitas' - 'You will find happiness here'," he said.

Dr Ruth Shaffrey, from Oxford Archaeology, said: "As one of only four known examples of Romano-British millstones decorated this way, the A14 millstone is a highly significant find.

"It offers insights into the importance of the mill to the local community and to the protective properties bestowed upon the millstone and its produce - the flour - by the depiction of a phallus on its upper surface.

"In the Roman world the phallic image was found all over the place. It was associated with good luck." just like today when you might say "How they hangin'"

 

[copper123]

Ruth shafrey looks really pleased - she looks like she's not seen one in years!

[ozjohn]

Saw this one in Pompeii on a trip to Italy. According to the guide it was pointing the way to a brothel.

[copper123]

18 hours ago, ozjohn said:

Saw this one in Pompeii on a trip to Italy. According to the guide it was pointing the way to a brothel.

I have seen that as well

[blakeyboy]

...a system still used in Kidderminster to this day....

[Peckris 2]

Shouldn't those be in wood not stone?

[bagerap]

Only in the morning

[Diaconis]

On 5/31/2021 at 1:43 AM, ozjohn said:

Saw this one in Pompeii on a trip to Italy. According to the guide it was pointing the way to a brothel.

Sure I can see a smiley face next to it, on the right hand side, probably not contemporary. Could just be a touch of Pareidolia caused by an innocent cock up by the stone mason.

[copper123]

they do call it a HARD on

[1949threepence]

On 6/1/2021 at 6:28 AM, Diaconis said:

Sure I can see a smiley face next to it, on the right hand side, probably not contemporary. Could just be a touch of Pareidolia caused by an innocent cock up by the stone mason.

Where's Larry when you need him?

[copper123]

1 hour ago, 1949threepence said:

Where's Larry when you need him?

It could be lurcio off" Up pompeii."

Oh I have just had a look and nay ,nay and thrice nay

[Diaconis]

3 hours ago, 1949threepence said:

Where's Larry when you need him?

Yes indeed, I hope he's OK, he's not been on here for a while...

[Diaconis]

Nice to see that the tradition is being kept alive, here's one in Manchester.

[copper123]

Plenty pr****'s In Manchester - plenty holes in the road as well - I blame "The beast from the east" as long as its not racist .

[Peckris 2]

4 hours ago, Diaconis said:

Nice to see that the tradition is being kept alive, here's one in Manchester.

the caption is the best bit!

[ozjohn]

Just finished watching Robson Green's Hadrian's wall walk. Apparently there are 56 phallic symbols on the wall. This time it was described as a good luck charm and used to ward off the evil eye.

[VickySilver]

Or is that the evil eye?  

 

My main memory of those Italian museums as a boy were the outrageous bronzes that had phallus emerging from phallus and any other body part. Grandmother used a bit of Shakespeare (about other topics) something to the effect of: "Methinks he doth protest too much" .

And I believe psychologists would have some interesting opinions about such....