Mysterious rooster statue in ancient Roman tomb

Among the artifacts found when excavating the ancient cemetery at Tetbury three years ago, scientists paid special attention to the bronze rooster statue placed in the tomb of a 2-year-old Roman girl. .

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Three years ago, while excavating an ancient cemetery in Tetbury, Cirencester (also known as Corinium when it was still the second largest town in Britain during the Roman Empire period), archaeologists discovered many antiquity. Among them, they paid special attention to a glazed bronze rooster statue found in a Roman girl.

This statue is 12.5cm tall with the breast, wings, eyes and crests covered in green and blue enamel. The ponytail is also glazed and removable.

Ancient chicken statue

Archaeologist Neil Holbrook from Cotswold archaeological center said the rooster statue is a masterpiece based on its glazed details.

Through a long period of research, scientists have somewhat "deciphered" the mysterious statue mentioned above. Accordingly, this statue was made from the 2nd century. It is one of the 9 statues of the rooster of the Roman Empire ever found.

According to scientists, the Romans put the statue in the tomb as a ritual to pray for the protection of the gods to her, as well as to comfort the dead's soul.

Roosters are of religious importance to the Romans. They claim that the rooster has a connection with Mercury, the messenger of the gods, who is also responsible for bringing the dead souls to the afterlife.

"The statue is a great antiquity. It was very expensive at that time. People had to lose it for so long to make it. Such a precious object was placed in the grave of a new child. 2 or 3 years old, showing that this family is extremely rich and powerful, " said archaeologist Neil Holbrook.

The rooster statue found at Tetbury is on display at the Corinium Museum in Cirencester (England).

A spokesman for the Corinium Museum said: "This rooster statue is one of nine unique Roman rooster statues ever discovered, and the only one still able to hold the chicken tail."

"Along with the statue, the museum also displays other antiques such as beads and bracelets found in the grave of a Roman girl. These are objects of high status in society. They give us a glimpse of the ancient inhabitants of Corinium. "

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