“Unearthed After Centuries: The Stunning Discovery of a Roman Dog That Could Rewrite History!”
Another festival, the Robigalia, saw dogs sacrificed to the deity Robigus, who was believed to cause crop rust. The sacrifice was meant to appease Robigus and ensure a fruitful harvest.
In the Lupercalia, a festival promoting purification and fertility, dogs were among the animals sacrificed by the Luperci priests. Following the sacrifices, these priests would run through the city, striking bystanders with thongs made from the skins of the sacrificed animals, a practice believed to bestow fertility and ease childbirth.
Despite such ceremonies, however, dogs were still largely respected as protective, watchful figures.
SOLVA Dienst ArcheologiePieces of Roman-era pottery found in Velzeke.
While the exact purpose of the dog burial found at the Velzeke dig site remains unclear, Verbrugge’s assumption that it was intended as some kind of ritual sacrifice aligns with previously observed ancient Roman practices. After all, based on this recent excavation and others in the past, it is well documented that Velzeke had a rather large Roman population during antiquity.
Other Discoveries From Velzeke Showcase The City’s Roman Roots
SOLVA Dienst ArcheologieThe 3,200-square-foot archaeological site where the remains were found.
In this 3,200-square-foot area alone, archaeologists have found 700 traces of Roman settlement from the first through third centuries C.E. But according to Verbrugge, “That’s not so unusual. Previous excavations have already shown that this was a very intensively inhabited area.”
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