8 August 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Stunning carved stone depicting a mystery naked horseman is discovered at the Roman fort of Vindolanda

Near Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, archaeologists discovered a carved sandstone slab portraying a naked horseman.

During the annual excavations at the Roman fort of Vindolanda near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, a superbly carved sandstone relief depicting a naked male figure carrying a spear standing in front of a horse/donkey was discovered. The complete stone measuring 160mm by 315mm would have originally been fitted into a recess.

The Vindolanda Charitable Trust, which manages archaeological, conservation, and educational activities at the site, that there have been “no analogous discoveries” before now.

Site archaeologist Marta Alberti added, “The nakedness of the man means he is probably a god, rather than a mere cavalryman, he is also carrying a spear in his left arm, a common attribute of the God of War – Mars, however when you look at his head, the two almost circular features could be identified as wings: a common attribute of Mercury – god of travel. Horses and donkeys are also often associated with Mercury as a protector of travelers”.

Richie Milor and David Goldwater with their discovery, which will be on public display from July 1.
Richie Milor and David Goldwater with their discovery, which will be on public display from July 1.

Marta commented, “this interesting relief may represent something we have not only never seen before but something we may never see again”. 

The stone was uncovered on May 20 this year, only inches under the topsoil, by two volunteers from Newcastle. 

Richie Milor and David Goldwater had been assigned to uncover a flagged floor inside a 4th-century building of the ancient fort.  

‘We are just absolutely elated, very proud to be part of this discovery, it was actually very emotional,’ Milor said. 

The artifact can be seen in the current findings exhibition at the Vindolanda museum beginning July 1st and will be on display until the end of the 2021 season.

Source: Vindolanda Charitable Trust

Related Articles

Ancient Hittite Bronze Helmet Unearthed: A Rare Glimpse into the Warrior Culture of a Forgotten Empire

5 June 2025

5 June 2025

3,300-Year-Old War Helmet Reveals the Power, Beliefs, and Craftsmanship of the Hittite Civilization A rare 3,300-year-old bronze helmet discovered in...

The world’s largest Byzantine winepresses have been discovered in Israel

11 October 2021

11 October 2021

Archaeologists say they’ve discovered the world’s largest known Byzantine-era winery in the city of Yavne, south of Tel Aviv. The...

Scientists Create a 3D Model of Lost Temple Relief from a 134-Year-Old Photo Using AI

13 November 2024

13 November 2024

The researchers developed a neural network that can take a single 2D photo of a three-dimensional object and produce a...

A Mysterious Chapel Discovered in Istanbul Bagcılar

3 August 2023

3 August 2023

While Istanbul continues to surprise with the richness of its historical heritage, this time a chapel was discovered in Bağcılar....

3,500-Year-Old Tomb of King Thutmose II Discovered: The First Royal Burial Unearthed Since King Tutankhamun

19 February 2025

19 February 2025

Egyptian officials have announced a groundbreaking discovery: the long-lost tomb of King Thutmose II, marking the last of the royal...

Last Assyrian Capital “Ninive”

7 February 2021

7 February 2021

Ninive is an ancient Assyrian city located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River in northern Iraq, near today’s...

Ancient reliefs become target of treasure hunters

7 January 2024

7 January 2024

An academic has cautioned that urgent protection is required for the historic Adamkayalar (Men of Rock) reliefs in the southern...

The Famous Cueva de Ardales cave in Spain was used by ancient humans for over 50,000 years

8 June 2022

8 June 2022

Cueva de Ardales cave in Málaga, Spain,  famed for the extensive prehistoric art on its walls was excavated for the...

Three Roman Graves Uncovered in Portugal

17 April 2024

17 April 2024

Three burials dating to the 5th or 6th century AD have been unearthed in the ancient Roman city of Ossónoba...

Temple of Olympian Zeus Horse Frieze Found a Depth of 9 Meters off the Coast of Agrigento, Sicily

5 February 2024

5 February 2024

A large marble relief believed to have been part of the Temple of Olympian Zeus frieze in Agrigento, Sicily, has...

Three-Year-Old Discovers 3,800-Year-Old Canaanite Seal at Archaeological Site of Tel Azekah

2 April 2025

2 April 2025

At the site of the famous battle between David and Goliath, a three-year-old girl named Ziv Nitzan discovered a scarab-shaped...

The Largest Circular Tomb of the Ancient World Is Opening

16 February 2021

16 February 2021

The restoration of Augustus’ colossal tomb, which is expected to be opened in 2014, has been completed. The Augustus mausoleum...

Three New Domus de Janas Unearthed in Sardinia: 5,000-Year-Old “Fairy Houses” Discovered

29 July 2025

29 July 2025

Hidden beneath the rugged landscapes of Sardinia lie the silent dwellings of an ancient world — the Domus de Janas,...

Ancient Roman Breakwater Discovered Underwater in Misenum: Sculptures and Architecture Reused to Tame the Sea

27 June 2025

27 June 2025

An underwater excavation off the coast of Bacoli, in southern Italy, has uncovered a remarkable Roman-era breakwater built from reused...

An ancient Roman road has been discovered in the Venice Lagoon

24 July 2021

24 July 2021

Researchers discovered a Roman road submerged in the Venice Lagoon. The finding suggests that substantial communities may have existed in...