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A remarkable Roman carving of the winged goddess of victory has been uncovered near Hadrian’s Wall by volunteer diggers assisting in an official archaeological excavation.
The stone relief was discovered at Vindolanda — a key Roman fort near Hexham, Northumberland — by a couple from Merseyside, Dilys and Jim Quinlan.
Dilys, 69, works in healthcare, while Jim, 68, is an engineer employed by Liverpool City Council. The couple has been volunteering at Vindolanda for 21 years, frequently traveling from their home near Liverpool to support the site's excavation efforts.
They found the ancient carving while clearing rubble above the former site of infantry barracks.
Dilys described their long-standing involvement with the dig as deeply rewarding: “We’ve spent most of our annual leave at Vindolanda over the years. As experienced volunteers, this is without question the most incredible discovery we’ve made — and doing it together makes it even more special.
“It’s the most relaxing experience we know. We eat well, sleep well, enjoy great company, and there’s always something new to learn. What more could you want?”
Dr. Andrew Birley, director of excavations at Vindolanda, praised the discovery, calling it “simply beyond wonderful” for the dedicated volunteers who help unearth the site.
“For volunteers to uncover something like this is incredibly rewarding,” he said. “There’s a real sense of awe when, after turning over thousands of stones, you suddenly see the face of a goddess looking back at you. In that moment, it feels like time collapses and you’re directly connected with the ancient world. These are the moments we live for as archaeologists and volunteers.”
Birley also noted the overwhelming public enthusiasm for archaeology: “When we open applications for excavation volunteers, the slots fill up in about a minute—it’s crazy. It’s like a mini Glastonbury.”
He added, “I always feel bad because we receive interest from four or five thousand people, but we can only accept about five hundred. What’s amazing is that each participant isn’t just observing history—they’re helping write it.”
Rob Collins, Professor of Frontier Archaeology at Newcastle University, identified the carved figure as Victory—the Roman goddess who personifies triumph in war and was often honored following military success.
Birley explained that the barracks where the carving was found date to around AD 213, just after the Severan campaigns, a turbulent period in Roman Britain. The 47cm-high stone relief likely celebrated the conclusion of those conflicts and may have originally been part of a larger structure—possibly an ornate arch or gate—that decorated the barracks.
Birley said: “The beautifully carved figure vividly reminds us that Roman forts were not simply utilitarian. They had grandeur and of course the symbolism was a vital part of the culture here for the soldiers almost 2,000 years ago.”
Volunteers at Vindolanda contribute to a wide range of tasks, from detailed site recording to hands-on excavation work. When asked if they ever wished they had pursued archaeology professionally, Dilys responded: “We’ve always had a strong interest in history, especially Greek and Roman. But we’re content with the public service work we do—archaeology is a wonderful hobby for us.
“We truly feel part of the Vindolanda family. It’s rewarding to contribute, even in a small way, to expanding our understanding of life on the Roman frontier. More than anything, it’s about being part of something bigger than yourself.”
The Vindolanda Charitable Trust has welcomed volunteer diggers since its establishment in 1970.
Dr. Andrew Birley’s father, Robin Birley, led the team that made one of the site’s most famous discoveries in 1973: the Vindolanda writing tablets. These wooden documents offered rare, firsthand glimpses into daily life at the Roman fort nearly 2,000 years ago.
The recently uncovered stone carving of the goddess Victory is set to go on public display at the Vindolanda Museum in early 2026, as part of an exhibition showcasing the latest archaeological finds.
