BRIGHTLINGSEA, ENGLAND—A small, bronze figurine was discovered along with fragments of Roman pottery and roof tiles at an excavation at Moverons Quarry in southeastern England by archaeologist Ben Holloway of The Colchester Archaeological Trust. The four-inch-tall statue, which has not been cleaned or conserved yet, depicts an upright bird with feathers, talons, and a woman’s head with braided hair. Its small wings are open, and it has a serpent’s tail that functions as a support. The figure is thought to represent a harpy, a creature from Greek and Roman mythology. The three harpies were the daughters of Thaumas and Electra, and were named Aello, Ocypete, and Celaeno. Although originally thought of as beautiful winged women, they became spirits of the winds who were employed by the gods to punish wrong-doers or to carry them to the Underworld. For another dramatic discovery recently made in Colchester, see "Hoard of Roman Jewlery Unearthed."
