An Update on the Teynham Triton

The Teynham Triton statue has made its way back into the news recently, following further study of this incredible artefact.

A newly conducted study reveals that a Roman statue of Triton, found during excavation at the Frognal Lane development in Teynham, had its head cut off and may have been burned before burial in a ritual act.

Dating back over 1,700 years, the statue was discovered alongside Roman cremation burial fragments and a tomb containing a coin from around 320 to 330 AD.

Historians Richard Helm, Richard Hobbs, Kevin Hayward, Robert Masefield, and John Pearce describe the find as one of the most significant Roman discoveries in recent times, suggesting the statue was “ritually killed.” While the reason behind this practice remains unclear, they propose it could be a ceremonial end to its role as a religious icon.

The fate of the statue is yet to be determined by the Chartway Group, which owns the land, as they emphasize the importance of preserving such significant archaeological finds. The discovery, expertly led by Canterbury Archaeological Trust and published by Cambridge University Press, adds to Kent’s rich Roman history.

Fig 1 – Reconstruction of the Teynham Triton statue. Courtesy of Canterbury Archaeological Trust.