Falera worn by Roman soldiers found in Britain (4 photos)

A group of volunteer archaeologists discovered a 1900-year-old silver Phalera, a military award depicting the head of the Gorgon Medusa. An interesting find was made on the territory of an ancient Roman military camp Vindolanda in the UK.





Volunteer archaeologists made this curious find in the north England, on the territory of the ancient Roman military camp of Vindolanda, built around 85 AD. e .. This is one of the most important Roman archaeological sites in Europe. The camp consists of nine forts, where housed soldiers from all over the Roman Empire, including Belgium, Germany and France. The largest stone fort dates back to the third century and includes the headquarters building, commander's house, granaries and barracks. Near forts - houses, shops, a tavern and a bathhouse. Excavations are underway annually, and gather hundreds of volunteers from all over the world.



A silver phalera was found in one of the barracks. It turned out this was a military insignia. Roman soldiers wore such awards on bibs during parades. The head of the Gorgon Medusa is depicted on the phalera - a monster with a woman's face and snakes instead of hair, mentioned in "Odyssey" by Homer. It was believed that looking at her face turned a person into stone. Here her image is an apotropaic symbol, or a symbol of protection.





In addition to the phalera, in this season of excavations, archaeologists have found spearhead, copper alloy spoon, part of a mortar (ancient Roman kitchen vessel), Samian pottery, bead, enameled brooch, copper alloy knife plate.