Valkhof Museum Uncovers Rare Bone Phallus in Roman Collection Inventory

During a government-funded inventory project, the Valkhof Museum in Nijmegen discovered an 8-inch Ancient Roman phallus carved from bone within a forgotten collection of 16,000 boxes. The province of Gelderland allocated €8 million in 2025 for this six-year endeavor to assess archaeological finds from abandoned storage depots. Measuring 7.9 inches, this bone carving may be unique since Romans typically used stone or metal for such imagery. Archaeologist Ilse Schuuring explained that phallus depictions served as fertility symbols and protective amulets in Roman culture, not solely as sexual objects. The museum has examined only 300 boxes so far, also identifying luxury Roman tableware including a cup with a cheerful face. Regional minister Peter Drenth described the findings as an immense treasure trove revealing rich Roman life in Gelderland. Parallels were noted with other cultures: in Hinduism, the lingam represents generative energy, while Thai palad khik effigies and Bhutanese paintings also use phallic imagery protectively. A 2023 research paper suggested a Roman wooden artifact from Vindolanda near Hadrian's Wall might have been a dildo, though the bone material of this new find remains unidentified.