Who Is Tutela of Vieux-la-Romaine?
Tutela of Vieux-la-Romaine is a half-goddess female statue found in a shattered condition. In Roman mythology, Tutela is a guardian goddess — usually depicted holding a cornucopia (horn of plenty) and a patera (offering bowl). The statue is made of white marble, possibly from Italy or Greece, indicating that its owner was very wealthy. Although the face and hands are missing, its body wrapped in a long robe clearly shows Hellenistic artistic influence. It is estimated to have been made in the 2nd century AD.
Where and How Was This Statue Found?
The discovery happened in 1988, when an archaeological team excavated the Maison au grand péristyle — a luxurious religious house in Vieux-la-Romaine, a small town in Normandy. The house had a large peristyle (walled garden) and a decorative pool. The statue was found in a pile of ruins in the corner of the garden, along with fragments of pottery and coins. According to Pascal Vipard, the excavation leader, the statue was deliberately broken and buried, possibly to hide it during times of chaos — such as the Frankish attacks in the 3rd century AD.
Why Is This Statue So Special?
It is one of the few intact Roman statues found in the Normandy area. Most Roman statues in Gaul are just fragments of heads or feet. Tutela, although broken, can still be restored by comparing it with similar statues in Italy and Spain. It proves that the elite in Vieux-la-Romaine were able to import high-quality art from the Mediterranean. More importantly, this statue shows that Roman religion in Gaul was not just rituals, but also personal practices at home — the house owner may have built an altar for Tutela in the garden.
What Happened to the Statue After It Was Found?
After being found, the statue was stored in the Musée archéologique de Vieux-la-Romaine, a museum opened specifically in 2002 to display Tutela and other artifacts from the site. The museum was built using restoration funds, and its collection includes gold jewelry, mosaics, and animal bones from sacrifices. Unfortunately, many artifacts from early 17th to 19th-century excavations have been lost or sold. However, Tutela was saved — and now it is the main attraction of the museum.
What Does This Discovery Mean for Gallo-Roman History?
The discovery of Tutela changes the perception of life in Vieux-la-Romaine. Once considered a simple village, it is now proven to be an important administrative and trade center. The religious house with a pool and statue shows that its owner may have been a high-ranking official or a wealthy merchant who fully practiced Roman customs. This supports the theory that the Gallo-Romans were not a mixed culture, but part of a united empire — from Britain to Syria.
Why Is the Statue Still Broken? Will It Be Restored?
So far, the statue remains in its original fragmented state — without hands and face. The reason is that other fragments have not yet been found. Archaeological teams are still searching in the surrounding area, but the soil there has been disturbed by modern construction. Experts also do not want to restore it speculatively, as it could damage its scientific value. However, in 2023, a 3D digital project was launched to reconstruct the statue with the help of artificial intelligence. If successful, we may see Tutela's face for the first time in over 1,700 years.
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Reference: Tutela de Vieux-la-Romaine — Wikipedia
Ancient Roman Statue Named Tutela Found in a Nobleman's Garden — What Is Its Secret?. In 1988, a broken ancient Roman statue was found in the garden of the Gallo-Roman house at Vieux-la-Romaine, France. This statue, known as Tutela, is not only rare in Normandy but also holds religious and artistic secrets that go beyond local boundaries. Follow the story of this surprising discovery and what it reveals about the life of Roman nobles in Gaul.. Who Is Tutela of Vieux-la-Romaine?
Tutela of Vieux-la-Romaine is a half-goddess female statue found in a shattered condition. In Roman mythology, Tutela is a guardian goddess — usually depicted holding a cornucopia horn of plenty and a patera offering bowl . The statue is made of white marble, possibly from Italy or Greece, indicating that its owner was very wealthy. Although the face and hands are missing, its body wrapped in a long robe clearly shows Hellenistic artistic influence. It is estimated to have been made in the 2nd century AD.
Where and How Was This Statue Found?
The discovery happened in 1988, when an archaeological team excavated the Maison au grand péristyle — a luxurious religious house in Vieux-la-Romaine, a small town in Normandy. The house had a large peristyle walled garden and a decorative pool. The statue was found in a pile of ruins in the corner of the garden, along with fragments of pottery and coins. According to Pascal Vipard, the excavation leader, the statue was deliberately broken and buried, possibly to hide it during times of chaos — such as the Frankish attacks in the 3rd century AD.
Why Is This Statue So Special?
It is one of the few intact Roman statues found in the Normandy area. Most Roman statues in Gaul are just fragments of heads or feet. Tutela, although broken, can still be restored by comparing it with similar statues in Italy and Spain. It proves that the elite in Vieux-la-Romaine were able to import high-quality art from the Mediterranean. More importantly, this statue shows that Roman religion in Gaul was not just rituals, but also personal practices at home — the house owner may have built an altar for Tutela in the garden.
What Happened to the Statue After It Was Found?
After being found, the statue was stored in the Musée archéologique de Vieux-la-Romaine, a museum opened specifically in 2002 to display Tutela and other artifacts from the site. The museum was built using restoration funds, and its collection includes gold jewelry, mosaics, and animal bones from sacrifices. Unfortunately, many artifacts from early 17th to 19th-century excavations have been lost or sold. However, Tutela was saved — and now it is the main attraction of the museum.
What Does This Discovery Mean for Gallo-Roman History?
The discovery of Tutela changes the perception of life in Vieux-la-Romaine. Once considered a simple village, it is now proven to be an important administrative and trade center. The religious house with a pool and statue shows that its owner may have been a high-ranking official or a wealthy merchant who fully practiced Roman customs. This supports the theory that the Gallo-Romans were not a mixed culture, but part of a united empire — from Britain to Syria.
Why Is the Statue Still Broken? Will It Be Restored?
So far, the statue remains in its original fragmented state — without hands and face. The reason is that other fragments have not yet been found. Archaeological teams are still searching in the surrounding area, but the soil there has been disturbed by modern construction. Experts also do not want to restore it speculatively, as it could damage its scientific value. However, in 2023, a 3D digital project was launched to reconstruct the statue with the help of artificial intelligence. If successful, we may see Tutela's face for the first time in over 1,700 years.
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Reference: Tutela de Vieux-la-Romaine — Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tutela de Vieux-la-Romaine
