Jim and Dilys Quinlan, volunteer diggers at Vindolanda, have discovered a sandstone relief believed to depict the Roman goddess of Victory. Uncovered above 3rd-century barracks, the 47cm x 28cm x 17cm stone likely represented one side of a larger relief that framed an inscription. Dating back to circa AD 213, this relief signifies a pivotal moment in Roman history in Britain. The Trust’s curator mentioned the possibility of the relief originally being brightly painted, and it will be analyzed for pigment traces before being displayed at the Vindolanda Museum in 2026.
The recently discovered sandstone relief at Vindolanda may represent the Roman goddess of Victory, highlighting a significant period for Romans in Britain.
This relief, originally part of a larger decoration, symbolizes the triumph associated with the establishment of the fort after the tumultuous Severan wars.
We are exploring whether traces of vibrant pigments remain on the stone, which reflects how Roman reliefs were often colorfully painted.
The relief will be exhibited at the Vindolanda Museum in 2026, linking past victories with contemporary appreciation of Roman heritage.
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