{
  "id": 610210,
  "title": "Archaeologists in England Preparing for Road Construction Unearthed a Roman-Era Fingernail Cleaner With a Handle Shaped Like a Penis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/archaeologists-in-england-preparing-for-road-construction-unearthed-a",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-11T22:45:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Smithsonian",
    "slug": "smithsonian",
    "url": "https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-in-England-preparing-for-road-construction-unearthed-a-roman-era-fingernail-cleaner-with-a-handle-shaped-like-a-penis-180989318/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In England, archaeologists were preparing for road construction near Cheltenham when they unearthed a Roman-era nail cleaner with a handle shaped like a penis. The copper tool, likely dating to the late Roman period from 300 to 400 C.E., features a flat, two-pronged blade for cleaning fingernails and a small loop on the phallic handle for threading onto a strap or rope. This unique object, discovered by Archaeological Research Services Ltd., is considered one of the finest examples known to researchers. While the Roman culture viewed the phallus as a symbol of good luck, warding off misfortune and bad fortune, the artifact's primary purpose was most likely functional. The discovery is part of a larger assemblage of artifacts revealing centuries of settlement, agriculture, and industrial activity in the region. The site has also yielded remains of a fourth-century C.E. individual buried with grave goods, including a copper bracelet and coins, as well as a copper-alloy belt buckle, bronze and medieval coins, and relics from medieval and 19th-century periods.",
  "summary": "The Romans considered the phallus a symbol of good luck and used it to decorate objects, mark walls and inspire sculptures",
  "key_points": [
    "Roman-era nail cleaner with phallus-shaped handle unearthed",
    "Copper tool likely from late Roman period 300-400 C.E.",
    "Artifact considered finest example by researchers"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}