Photo: Superintendency of Caltanissetta/Sicilian Government
Archaeologists in Sicily have discovered a unique writing tool depicting the god Dionysus, estimated to be around 2,500 years old. According to Live Science, the craftsmanship suggests the artifact dates to the 5th century B.C., when the island was part of the Greek colonial world.
“This stylus is truly a unique example within the archaeological landscape of that period,” said Daniela Vullo, head of the Cultural and Environmental Heritage Protection Authority of Caltanissetta, where the artifact was found.
A stylus is a pointed instrument used for writing or for making marks on clay or wax tablets. This one measures 13.2 centimeters long. Its upper end is carved with a stern male face, while the middle features an erect phallus. Researchers believe the object was crafted in the form of a Dionysian herm.
Herms were ancient Greek sculptures, usually made from upright stone pillars, typically bearing only a carved head and male genitals. They were believed to ward off evil and were commonly placed at crossroads, borders, checkpoints, and in front of temples. The term is associated with Hermes, the messenger god, who was also linked to fertility.
The artifact was uncovered during excavations in the city of Gela. Researchers think it was likely used by a potter in his craft before being dedicated as an offering to a deity.
In addition to the stylus, archaeologists also uncovered a large Hellenistic district dating from the 4th to 1st centuries B.C., and excavations there are still ongoing.
