A 15-centimeter-long stone penis-shaped object was discovered at the Torre de Meira archaeological site in Spain. The spicy medieval find and the markings on it helped reveal the habits and brutal intentions of the people who lived here.
Archaeological objects in the shape of a penis are usually found in Roman, not medieval settlements, so this find puzzled scientists – what was it used for?
According to historians, penile pendants and amulets were used as decoration or talismans to bring luck and success during the Roman Empire. Meanwhile, a medieval stone penis found in Spain is believed to have been used to sharpen weapons such as daggers, swords or knives. This is evidenced by the specific signs of wear found on the stone penis.
According to scientists, the shape of the penis for sharpening was not chosen by chance – it shows a spirit of determination, strength and hyperbolized masculinity.
“This object is a symbol of violence, weapons and masculinity. This association, as we know, existed in the Middle Ages, but it is also prevalent in our society’s culture today,” archaeologist Dario Peña told Hyperallergic.
Near the city of Vigo, in the area of Torre de Meira, in the neighborhood of Moanya, the fortress standing on a hill was destroyed in the middle of the 15th century during a civil war and rebellion.
At that time, the peasants tried to win freedom from the nobles. About 130 castles and fortresses were destroyed during the conflict, including Torre de Meira, artnews.com reports.
These wars were fueled by the ensuing chaos in many European countries, fueled by the medieval crisis of the 14th and 15th centuries. At the time, against the backdrop of religious conflict and political instability, plague ravaged much of Europe, people were disillusioned with the existing order and hungered for revolution.
The Torre de Meira castle, which was demolished more than 500 years ago, began to be studied only in 1976. Scientists, who started archaeological work at that time, found the preserved complex of castle walls, armory, moat and watchtower.