Geograph - photograph every grid square

A Romano-British sculpture thought to date to the 2nd or 3rd century, found in 1970 at Howford, where the Rivers North and South Tyne meet NY9166 : Watersmeet. It was installed alongside the bridleway on The Green in Acomb village in 2011 NY9366 : The Green, Acomb

Stan Beckensall compiled a report on the carving and sent it to English Heritage. He said experts at the Museum of Antiquities and the Vindolanda and Arbeia Forts on Hadrian’s Wall had confirmed the carving was probably made during the Roman occupation. "Paul Bidwell, an expert at Arbeia Fort in Wallsend, says it’s in a native style and therefore very unusual and very rare – perhaps unique,” said Stan.

“The carving is obviously meant to be Hercules; he’s holding a club across his chest in one hand and a round object in the other that might be a purse or a dish."

"You can’t help warming to the figure – I’m certainly fond of it – because he seems to have this rather attractive little smile on his face."

Finding him put a smile on my face too - so glad he didn't end locked up in a museum collection.

Hexham Courant, 21st March 2011: Link
The Journal, 10th March 2011: Link (Archive Link )
3D model on Sketchfab: Link