Cool Finds

Archaeologists in England Preparing for Road Construction Unearthed a Roman-Era Fingernail Cleaner With a Handle Shaped Like a Penis

The Romans considered the phallus a symbol of good luck and used it to decorate objects, mark walls and inspire sculptures

Sarah Kuta | Daily Correspondent

August 11, 2026 6:45 p.m.

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England has such a long and diverse human history that archaeologists never know what they might find once they start digging. Case in point: Researchers recently unearthed a Roman-era nail cleaner with a handle shaped unmistakably like male genitalia.

Made of copper, the penis-topped nail cleaner likely dates to the late Roman period, which ran from 300 to 400 C.E. The body of the tool consists of a flat, straight, two-pronged blade that its owner likely used to remove dirt from underneath his or her fingernails. The phallic handle, meanwhile, sports a small loop on one side that probably “allowed its owner to thread it onto a strap or thin rope for optimal on-the-go utility,” writes Andrew Paul for Popular Science.

The phallic artifact emerged as archaeologists were preparing for planned road work near Cheltenham, a town about 100 miles west of London. It was discovered by experts with Archaeological Research Services Ltd., the company hired to conduct excavations ahead of Gloucestershire County Council’s M5 Junction 10 improvement project.

This isn’t the first time archaeologists have unearthed such an object—similar examples have also emerged in Gloucestershire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. But, the researchers note in an online update about the dig, “this may be the finest example known.”

Though today we might giggle at the prospect of using a penis-adorned tool to keep our fingernails clean, the original owner likely saw the unusual accessory as something far more meaningful. The Romans largely viewed the phallus as a symbol of good luck, using it to “ward off misfortune and bad things in general,” as Rob Collins, an archaeologist at Newcastle University, told CNN’s Emily Dixon in 2019.

“We know this both from the way in which Romans have written about the phallus relative to ritual and religion, as well as how these symbols are encountered by archaeologists," he added.

The Romans carved dozens of penises on Hadrian’s Wall, the many-mile defensive fortification spanning the empire’s northern border in Britain. They also created a 6.3-inch-long “disembodied phallus” out of ash wood, and carved a 7.8-inch curved penis sculpture from a piece of bone.

“The Romans felt no shame regarding genitalia,” Ilse Schuuring, an archaeologist in the Netherlands, said in a statement translated by Hyperallergic’s Rhea Nayyar. “Depictions of them were very common for instance, as amulets. They served as symbols of fertility. Such images were also frequently hung near doorways to ward off evil spirits.”

The penis-adorned nail cleaner discovered near Cheltenham is part of the “amazing assemblage” of artifacts researchers have unearthed so far, according to the statement from Archaeological Research Services Ltd. Together, the items tell the story of centuries of settlement, agriculture and industrial activity in the area.

Other notable discoveries include a copper-alloy belt buckle that also dates to the late Roman period. The D-shaped buckle is attached to an intricately decorated, rectangular plate, which was crafted from a single metal sheet that was bent and then riveted together at the opposite end. Because the buckle was held within the bend of the metal sheet, it likely had some freedom to move as the belt was worn. The outer edges of the plate feature a series of stamped circles, while the center boasts a geometric foliate design.

The dig has also produced numerous historic coins spanning at least 2,000 years of use, including a silver piece featuring a horse that was likely issued by the local Dobunni tribe during the Iron Age. Archaeologists also found bronze coins issued by Allectus, a Roman usurper who controlled Britain from 293 to 296 C.E., and Constantine I, who ruled the Roman Empire from 306 to 337 C.E. Moving forward in time, they found medieval pennies from as early as 1216 C.E., as well as a sixpence issued by George VI in 1963.

Their excavations also revealed more modern finds, including buttons issued by the Navy during the 18th century and livery buttons from the 19th century.

Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.