Roman Dog Skull

3D Model

This dog skull from the Roman period was found in what we think was a well at the County Sports site in Staines in the early 1980s. Nick, our curator, was working at the site under the direction of Rob Poulton, cleaning a circular feature. The circular feature started to subside and Nick had to be rescued from falling in! Timbers suggestive of a well lining were found and 15 individual dogs were identified, all male, of which this is one. This and four other dog skulls are on display in the museum. Other items found in the well were a Nene valley ware ‘hunting cup’ showing dogs and stags, a large greyware jar, and a red deer antler.