Ancient stone phallus unearthed by archaeologists, boasting an unexpected purpose.
In the medieval fortress of Torre de Meira, Galicia, Spain, archaeologists made an intriguing discovery in June 2023 - a six-inch stone phallus that served a unique and symbolic function.
The stone, dating back to the Middle Ages, was not primarily used as a good luck talisman or artwork but served a practical purpose as a sword-sharpening tool. This discovery adds to our understanding of the cultural practices during the Middle Ages, shedding light on the symbolic association between violence, weapons, and masculinity.
Darío Peña, a team member of Árbore Arqueoloxía, which made the discovery after three years of working on the site, commented that the find "materializes the symbolic association between violence, weapons, and masculinity."
Phallic symbols were not uncommon in the ancient world, particularly across parts of the Roman Empire. However, the Torre de Meira find served as an elaborate sharpening tool for soldiers' swords, combining a utilitarian purpose with symbolic meaning. In certain cases, these relics were used to keep men's weapons sharp, while in others, they served as symbols of protection.
The unusual shape of the stone phallus, compared to other sexually suggestive artifacts found in the ancient world, made its discovery unexpected. Yet, it underscores the enduring symbolic association between masculinity, violence, and weapons, not just in the Middle Ages but also in modern culture.
Interestingly, penises were drawn as mocking or derisory graffiti as far back as 2,000 years ago. This suggests that the use of phallic symbols for symbolic purposes was not exclusive to the Middle Ages but had roots in ancient times.
Recent discoveries of carved and adorned phallic relics further support this notion. However, no information about the context or purpose of the discovery of a dildo was provided in the text, leaving room for further exploration and interpretation.
This article was originally published on 14 June 2023. Despite the lack of information about the material of the discovered phallus and its specific location, the Torre de Meira find offers valuable insights into the cultural practices and beliefs of the Middle Ages.
The Torre de Meira find, despite its unexpected shape, highlights the persistence of the symbolic connection between masculinity, violence, and weapons not only in the Middle Ages but also in contemporary culture, even extending to fashion-and-beauty and social-media platforms, where symbols of power and strength are often prominent.
Furthermore, the discovery underscores the fact that the use of phallic symbols for symbolic purposes is not confined to the Middle Ages but has deep roots in entertainment and cultural expression, much like the mocking graffiti of ancient times.
