The famous phrase from Forrest Gump, “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get,” was brought to life when a Dutch museum uncovered an intriguing artifact during a major government-funded inventory project. Among 16,000 boxes of archaeological items, staff at the Valkhof Museum in Nijmegen stumbled upon an Ancient Roman phallus sculpture crafted from bone.
The boxes originated from various abandoned or obsolete storage facilities before being transferred to the province of Gelderland, historically part of the Roman Empire. With a legal duty to evaluate this vast collection for its historical significance, Gelderland allocated €8 million (approximately $9.21 million) to the Valkhof Museum for a comprehensive six-year project commencing in 2025.
Having reviewed only 300 boxes so far, the museum has already encountered this remarkable find. Measuring an impressive 7.9 inches (~20 cm), the curved phallus carving could be unique, as Romans typically created such imagery in stone or metal, according to the museum. Notably, a 2023 study by English and Irish researchers suggested that a wooden “sewing tool” from the Vindolanda site near Hadrian’s Wall might have been a Roman dildo.
Ilse Schuuring, an archaeologist from Gelderland, clarified that phallic imagery wasn’t solely sexual. “The Romans felt no shame regarding genitalia,” Schuuring stated. “Such depictions were common, often as amulets, symbolizing fertility and used to protect against evil spirits.” These symbols also played roles in other cultures, such as the lingam in Hinduism, associated with Shiva, and the protective phallic imagery in Bhutan.
The specific animal bone used for the sculpture remains unidentified. Alongside this find, the museum also discovered luxury clay tableware, like a cup featuring a “cheerful face.” Peter Drenth, regional minister of Gelderland, described these discoveries as “an immense treasure trove,” highlighting the rich and varied nature of Roman life in the area.
