Ancient Romans and sex toys. What did the 2000-year-old artifact tell about

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A 2,000-year-old wooden phallus was discovered in 1992 and is now considered evidence that the ancient Romans used sex toys. The study was published in the journal Antiquity.

The penis-shaped artifact was originally reported as a darning tool. It was discovered in northern England in a moat near Hadrian's Wall, a site that once marked the northwestern border of the Roman Empire. Researchers have rethought the artifact as a disembodied phallus and, after careful examination, have concluded that it has likely potential uses.

According to the study, the artifact is just over 15 cm long and is now considered an object intended for clitoral stimulation rather than for penetration. The researchers added that if the archaeological find is indeed a sex toy, then it represents the only known example of a non-miniature wooden phallus from Roman times.

The researchers also noted that the item could have been used by a slave owner on an enslaved person to torture or assert dominance, exacerbating the imbalance of power.

It could also be used as a symbol of good luck, as the phallus was usually used to ward off evil or bad luck.

Researchers have noted that ancient dildos were most likely made from organic materials. Therefore, they are not usually preserved .

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