Roman head of Mercury found at Smallhythe Place

In a captivating archaeological revelation, a team of researchers and volunteers from the National Trust has uncovered an extraordinary artifact at Smallhythe Place, a medieval shipyard nestled in Tenterden, Kent. This remarkable find, an exceptionally rare Roman head of Mercury, not only enriches our understanding of the region's cultural history but also offers a fascinating glimpse into the religious practices of Roman Britain.

Smallhythe Place, managed by the National Trust, has been a focal point of archaeological exploration for several years, with ongoing investigations into the medieval shipyard situated by the River Rother. What the researchers stumbled upon during their recent excavations surpassed expectations – traces of a Roman settlement dating back to the 1st to the 3rd century AD and a unique pipeclay figurine portraying the Roman god Mercury.

Standing at a modest 5cm tall, the head of Mercury features the distinctive winged headdress characteristic of the god. This find is especially noteworthy, as fewer than ten pipeclay heads are believed to have survived from Roman Britain. These figurines, primarily used for private religious practices and often placed in the graves of children, serve as windows into the spiritual beliefs and rituals of the Roman inhabitants.

Nathalie Cohen, an archaeologist with the National Trust, expressed the rarity of the discovery, stating, "To come across a head of a figurine of Mercury, in pipeclay, is incredibly rare. The head is clearly visible as Mercury, with his winged headdress. We sadly did not find the remaining part of the figurine."

Photo Credit: James Dobson

Dr. Matthew Fittock, an expert on ceramic figurines in Roman Britain, underscored the significance of such findings, noting that they offer valuable insights into the religious beliefs and practices of the culturally diverse populations of the Roman provinces.

The excavation project, made possible by funding from various UK institutions, involved the collaborative efforts of over 60 National Trust volunteers, professional archaeologists, students, and members of the Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group. The discoveries go beyond the Roman head, revealing thousands of artifacts that trace the evolution of Smallhythe Place – from a Georgian farm to a midden dump, a shipbuilding site, and a brickworks.

This revelation is not just about unearthing the past but also about connecting the dots between the Roman era, the medieval shipbuilding period, and the broader cultural and religious heritage of the region.