Metal detectorist finds 2,000-year-old figurine with eye-catching ‘oversized’ body part

A metal detectorist in the United Kingdom recently unearthed an ancient figurine with a rather large appendage.

While participating in a group metal detecting event in a small English village, Paul Shepheard, 69, picked up a signal on his device, according to a news release from Noonans, an auction house.

He then dug down about 10 inches into the ground and pulled out a small metal object only about 5 centimeters long.

Initially, he thought he had his hands on a steel pin often used in farm equipment, but after taking a closer look, he realized it was something more remarkable.

The object turned out to be an ancient bronze figurine with an “oversized phallus,” Noonans said.

The phallus is attached to a hinge, allowing for movement — a “very artistic,” component, Shepheard noted in the release.

“Dating to the Celtic period from the 1st century AD, this is a representation of a fertility god, probably based on the Roman god Mercury,” Nigel Mills, a Noonans consultant, said in the release.

It was likely intended to repulse evil spirits, though it may have also had a practical purpose, Mills said. It may have been used as a lock or buckle for a belt or a sword’s sheath.

The small artifact is slated to be sold at auction on March 8 or 9, and is estimated to sell for around $1,000.

“There is nothing quite like it, I am hoping it will attract a lot of attention,” Mills said.

Shepheard intends to use the profits from the sale of his “out of the blue” finding to pay for a vacation for his family.

“What I love about metal-detecting is that absolute surprise of what you find,” he said.

This story was originally published March 3, 2023 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Metal detectorist finds 2,000-year-old figurine with eye-catching ‘oversized’ body part."