00:00A rare terracotta Roman head has been uncovered at Magno-Roman Fort near Hultwistle during
00:07excavations led by archaeologists and supported by volunteers.
00:12The small but striking object was found in the northern defences by Rinsk de Kock and
00:18Hilda Gribben.
00:20Measuring 78mm by 67mm, it shows a female face with a centrally parted hairstyle formed
00:28from four plaited strands.
00:31Despite its worn condition, the figure appears regal, prompting suggestions it may represent
00:36a goddess or an important imperial woman.
00:40Roman artefact specialist Lindsay Alison Jones says the head looks like a practice piece
00:47made by an inexpert hand and was probably produced locally at the fort.
00:52While terracotta face pots are relatively common across Roman Britain, freestanding heads are
00:58unusual.
00:59An earlier, more skilfully made example was discovered at Magno in the 19th century and
01:05later donated to the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle.
01:09That piece is now held by the Great North Museum in Hancock.
01:12Senior archaeologist Rachel Frame says there are clear similarities between the two heads
01:18and believes they were intended to depict the same figure.
01:21Her current hypothesis is that the newly found head is a local copy of the earlier example,
01:27which may itself have been imported.
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