May
03
/ 2026
A small fragment of a Roman figurine, believed to depict the "backside" of the goddess Venus, has been discovered during ongoing excavations at Bodiam Castle in East Sussex. This intriguing discovery, affectionately nicknamed the "Bodiam Bum," offers a rare and fascinating glimpse into the religious beliefs and daily life of the area's inhabitants long before the iconic 14th-century castle was built. The excavation is part of the "Bodiam 100" project, a three-year initiative led by National Trust Archaeologist Nathalie Cohen in partnership with the UCL Institute of Archaeology and Archaeology South-East. The project aims to explore the buried history of the landscape surrounding the castle, marking the centenary of the site being bequeathed to the National Trust. While Bodiam Castle
