Bronze figure of Roman goddess unearthed at Arbeia in South Shields

Bronze figure of Roman goddess Ceres found at Arbeia Roman Fort.

Ceres Find at Arbeia Roman Fort

Volunteers have unearthed a miniature bronze figure of a Roman goddess from Arbeia Roman Fort in South Shields.

Members of the WallQuest community archaeology project and the Earthwatch Institute dug up the figure of the goddess Ceres, which is thought to be a mount from a larger piece of furniture.

Ceres was the goddess of agriculture, grain crops and fertility.

She was thought to be responsible for the fertility of the land and teaching humans how to grow, preserve, and prepare grain and corn.

Ceres was worshipped at her temple on the Aventine Hill, one of the Seven Hills of ancient Rome.

It was the second artefact of a goddess to be found by the WallQuest project at Arbeia in the last two years.

In 2014, a volunteer found a carved stone head of a protective goddess.

Amanda Seim, an Earthwatch volunteer, discovered the Ceres figure at the site.

She said: “At first I didn’t believe the goddess was real since the condition seemed pristine and the detail was incredible.

“Then our site supervisor fell eerily-quiet triggering a hum of authentic excitement.”

Coun Alan Kerr, deputy leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “It’s brilliant that discoveries such as this are still being made at Arbeia.

“They are the pieces that help to build a picture of the borough’s rich Roman history.

“We would encourage people to take the opportunity over the summer holidays to pay a visit to Arbeia to see the bronze figure and learn about its origins.”

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Visitors to Arbeia this summer will be able to see both of the artefacts on display.

The excavations, which are taking place just outside the south-west corner of the fort, can be viewed by visitors and will continue until September.

Geoff Woodward, manager of North and South Tyneside museums, said: “This is a really exciting and fitting discovery for us at Arbeia Roman Fort.

“I hope younger visitors in particular will be inspired to visit and join us for our summer school archaeology days.”