Volunteer diggers discover rare statue of goddess Victoria

After 21 years of dedicated digging, a volunteer couple has uncovered a stunning ancient treasure: a beautifully carved statue of the Roman goddess of victory, Victoria, hidden for nearly 2,000 years at the historic Vindolanda fort near Hadrian’s Wall.

This rare find not only shines a light on the grandeur of Roman Britain but also captures the imagination of history lovers everywhere, Caliber.Az reports, citing Independent.

The sandstone relief is thought to have symbolised the conclusion of an ancient Roman battle.

The discovery was made on May 1 by experienced volunteer couple Jim and Dilys Quinlan from Merseyside, who were participating in their 21st year of the site’s excavation program.

Ms Quinlan said: “We’ve spent the vast majority of our annual leave at Vindolanda over the years. As veteran diggers, it is without doubt the most wonderful thing we’ve ever done and, importantly, it’s something we do as a couple.

“It’s the best form of relaxation that we know of. We eat well, sleep well, we’re in good company and there’s always more to learn. What more could you ask for?”

The goddess Victory, known as Victoria in Latin, personified victory in Roman religion and mythology.

She was the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Nike and was deeply respected by the ancient Romans, often being credited with success on the battlefield during times of war, according to the Vindolanda Trust.

Dr. Andrew Birley, director of excavations for the Vindolanda Trust, said: “Finds like this are increasingly rare these days from Roman Britain, but the beautifully carved figure vividly reminds us that Roman forts were not simply utilitarian, they had grandeur and of course the symbolism was a vital part of the culture here for the soldiers almost 2,000 years ago.”

“I am also delighted for Jim and Dilys for their discovery. It is just reward for their 21 years of hard work and dedication to this site.”

The stone is believed to be a fragment of a much larger relief that likely featured an inscription in its center and was "highly likely" originally adorned with bright paint.

The Trust’s curator Barbara Birley said: “We will be working with our specialists to see if any traces of the pigment remain, so for now the relief is being stored unwashed ready for that further analysis.”

Vindolanda was originally established by the Roman army even before the 73-mile Hadrian’s Wall was constructed, serving to protect the wild northwestern frontier of the Roman Empire. It evolved into a key construction and garrison site for the wall, undergoing demolition and rebuilding at least nine times.

The site remained under Roman control from 85 AD to 370 AD and now serves as an active archaeological location, offering valuable insights into the lives of those who lived and worked near Hadrian’s Wall almost 2,000 years ago.

The barracks at Vindolanda were constructed in AD 213, at the close of a turbulent period for the Romans in Britain, shortly after the Severan wars ended.

The barracks were originally decorated with a grand ornamental arch and gate, exactly where an inscription is believed to have been located.

This artifact is scheduled to be exhibited publicly in early 2026 at the Vindolanda Museum as part of its Recent Finds exhibition.

By Naila Huseynova