Researchers from the National Institute for Archaeological Conservation Research, known as Inrap, have announced the discovery of a Venus figurine in a former Roman dump site located in France. The find adds a fascinating chapter to the region’s long history and showcases how ancient waste reveals intimate details about daily life in the Roman era.
The excavation took place in Rennes, a city in northwestern France with Roman roots dating back to the 1st century AD. The site began as a quarry supplying stone and building materials for Roman construction projects, then transitioned over time into a vast landfill. Within this layered backdrop, the team uncovered a diverse array of artifacts spanning up to two millennia in age. Among the items were multiple figurines representing the goddess Venus, a kiln used for pottery, a collection of coins, and slender clothing pins that hint at textile practices of the period.
Venus, revered in ancient Rome as the goddess of love and beauty, also carried political symbolism. She frequently appeared in connection with emperors and power, acting as a visual reminder of the state’s enduring authority. The excavated figurines reveal two distinct expressions of Venus. One depicts the goddess as a maternal ancestor figure, clothed in a shroud-like drapery that conceals much of the body, while the other presents Venus Anadiomenos, commonly interpreted as a goddess rising from the sea. This second statue is notable for its relatively complete state and shows the goddess standing by the shore, with water being squeezed from her hair with her right hand, a gesture often interpreted as a sign of purification or renewal.
The researchers also identified a 17th-century underground water conduit at the site, which once supplied Rennes with essential drinking and service water. Ongoing and planned excavations will aim to expand understanding of how the site was managed during the Gallo-Roman period, including the methods used for quarrying, waste disposal, and community organization. This broader view helps build a more nuanced picture of how ancient Rennes functioned as a hub within a Roman provincial system, where resource extraction, crafts, and daily life intersected in tangible ways. The discoveries offer tangible clues about trade networks, material culture, and the socio-political landscape of the time, enriching both regional history and the broader study of Roman influence in Gaul.
Credit: Inrap.