A clay figurine representing the god Mercury, which is considered to be extremely rare, has been unearthed at a Roman settlement that was previously unknown. It is one of less than 10 such figurines to be found in Britain and the settlement was located next to a bustling port, but now sits 10 miles away from the sea.

The location of the town, located in the current village of Small Hythe (or Smallhythe), near Tenterden in Kent, is now surrounded by fields. However, it used to play a crucial role in the Roman empire’s import and infrastructure system in southern England and the Channel.

The shoreline in this area of Kent has undergone significant changes since the time of the Romans, due to extensive land drainage and reclamation efforts, as well as the gradual filling in of a formerly wide river estuary. In the 1990s, archaeologists discovered and excavated a medieval shipyard located in Small Hythe, which was once frequented by King Henry V.

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Nathalie Cohen, an archaeologist from the National Trust, found the discovery of a Roman settlement and its artifacts at the site to be incredibly thrilling.

According to Cohen, the settlement was relatively small and lacked significant status. It was not as grand as Roman Londinium or Cirencester. It served as a moderately sized port, crucial in the transportation of timber and iron from south-east England and the importation of goods from other parts of the continent.

Additional discoveries on the site include a tile imprinted with the emblem of the Classis Britannica, the Roman navy in Britain, further highlighting the importance of the waterfront location.

The standout discovery is undoubtedly the statue of Mercury – the deity associated with the arts, trade, and prosperity – with only its head intact, adorned with his iconic winged headpiece. According to Cohen, it is exceptionally uncommon to find a pipeclay figurine of Mercury, as depictions of the god are typically made of metal.

The figurines made of pipeclay were created using clay from regions in present-day France and Germany. While some were brought in, the majority found in Britain depict female deities, particularly Venus.

Instead of being found in a large temple, scholars suggest that the statue probably had a simpler purpose. Matthew Fittock, an authority on ceramic figurines in Roman Britain, stated that “pipeclay figurines were primarily utilized by commoners for personal religious rituals in household shrines, and occasionally in temples and graves of deceased children, often those who were ill.”

According to the speaker, it is interesting to note that the figurines were intentionally broken, possibly suggesting a ritualistic importance. They were not discarded due to being damaged, but rather, there is proof that intentionally breaking certain figurine heads was a significant ritual practice, while complete figurines are typically discovered in graves.

Source: theguardian.com