Archaeologists have uncovered an 1,800-year-old, 17cm-high pipeclay figurine in a dig at Gloucester’s new £107 million social and digital quarter, The Forum.
Gloucester City Council has said the site is proving to be a ‘treasure trove of archaeological finds’, with the statuette being one of many exciting discoveries within the grounds which date back to Roman times, and is believed to represent Venus, the goddess of love.
Alongside the interesting findings, there were also foundations of several buildings which are thought to have formed part of a Roman suburb, outside of the city walls.
The archaeologists from the dig have suspicions that the statuette would have been worshipped as a religious icon and perhaps may have stood in someone’s home shrine.
Esther Croft, Development Director at Reef, said ‘Working in partnership with the City Council, our aim remains to deliver The Forum in a way that exploits a unique chance to reveal these important archaeological remains and celebrate Gloucester’s history.
We could never have imagined that such a lovely artefact as the Venus figurine would be recovered. We look forward to seeing this wonderful piece put on public display.’
