New research at the site of Viminacium in eastern Serbia, once the capital of the Roman province of Moesia Superior, has made a remarkable discovery. Just as archaeologists began their latest exploration of the city, they came across a unique object known as a ‘home guardian’ wind chime, shaped like a winged phallus used as a talisman.
Border city from west to east of Rome
Viminacium Archaeological Park is located about 100km (70 miles) east of Belgrade by road and was once one of the rich ancient cities of the Illyrians, later becoming the capital and important military camp of the Empire. Roman Empire from the 1st to the 4th century AD.
The site is vast and includes temples, hot tubs, military camps and the mausoleum of Emperor Hostilian, one of the shortest-reigning emperors on record, only in office from about June to July 251 AD, before his untimely death.
What’s more notable is the large number of tombs in this area, with more than 14,000 tombs found to date.
The original military camp grew and eventually became an important city with an estimated population of 40,000 people. Viminacium had its own baths and hippodrome, and it became the capital of the important province of Moesia Superior. The city was destroyed by the Huns in the 5th century AD but later rebuilt by Byzantine Emperor Justinian. After a century of prosperity, the Slavs razed the city in the 7th century and it was never occupied again.
Excavation of Viminacium
Archaeological research in Viminacium continues throughout the year, so it is not surprising that archaeologists’ discoveries sometimes ‘appear on the front pages of newspapers, internet portals and breaking news breaking on national TV channels, the Serbian blog ‘ Sve o arheologiji ‘ reported (All about archaeology).
And a few days ago, such a discovery was made.
“Explorations of the civil settlement (city) of Viminacium have just begun and the first important discoveries have already begun. During the excavation of one of the main streets of the city, people discovered appeared the gate of one of the buildings. It was determined that the Building was destroyed in a fire, in which the awning collapsed and fell to the ground, and an object known to the scientific community as ‘tintinnabulum ‘[The wind chimes] were discovered in a layer of debris,” Viminacium Archaeological Park told All About Archaeology.
Bronze wind chimes in situ. Now which protrusion is the penis? (Ilija Danković, Institute of Archeology)
The original appearance of the Viminacium wind chime will be revealed after its conservation. What has been made clear, however, is its core unique design: the bell’s central element is the “fascinum”, a mystical figure depicted as a phallus with wings, legs and a Additional penis tail. Archaeologists note that this central figure is decorated with four bells.
Wind chimes are ancient versions of today’s wind catchers, but their role and symbolism in the Roman world had many more layers and meanings. They were hung in front of the door of the house or room, so that by making sounds in the wind, as well as with their unusual appearance, they would dispel evil forces and the evil eye.
Tintinnabulum with polyphonic mercury found in Pompeii (© Marie-Lan Nguyen / CC BY 2.5 )
Penis-shaped objects were used as powerful Talisman
Phallic objects were found on a wide range of Roman objects, from amulets, frescoes, mosaics and lamps, even on Hadrian’s wall at the other end of the empire.
Although it may seem like the Romans were obsessed with their genitals, they were symbols that were believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. To the Romans, such objects were not erotic. This part of the human body is considered an effective weapon in the fight against the evil eye, and is also a bringer of good luck.
In fact, it was essential for any responsible Roman parent to provide their children with amulets, or at least paint them on the walls. Since at this time children were quite sick and child mortality was high, such measures were considered prudent.
It is believed that wings were added to phallic charms to help them ward off evil more effectively.
Archaeologists from Viminacium concluded: “It was for this reason that the owner of the building in Viminacium hung the wind chime outside his gate. He believed that this object had powerful magical properties that could help him.”
Photo above: The moment the wind chimes were discovered at Viminacium. Source: Ilija Danković, Institute of Archeology
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