Roman artifacts including an “incredibly rare” figurine depicting the god Mercury have been found at a medieval shipbuilding site.

While excavating the National Trust plot near Tenterden, archaeologists came across earlier evidence of a Roman settlement, in use between the 1st and 3rd centuries.

Among the finds was the head of a figurine of the god Mercury made from pipeclay. While Mercury is the most common god for metal figurines, pipeclay examples are extremely rare, with less than ten so far found from Roman Britain.

Also found at Smallhythe Place were tiles stamped with the mark of the Roman fleet, the Classis Britannica, ceramics including a samian form of pottery and evidence of buildings, specifically boundary features and pits.

Nathalie Cohen, National Trust archaeologist, said: “These provide tantalising clues to the nature of this riverside community.

“But to come across a head of a figurine of Mercury, in pipeclay, is incredibly rare. Just 5cm tall, the head is clearly visible as Mercury, with his winged headdress. We sadly did not find the remaining part of the figurine.”

The National Trust says the complete figurine probably would have depicted Mercury standing, either draped with a chlamys (a short cloak), or naked, holding a caduceus (a staff with two intertwined snakes).

Smallhythe Place has been investigated for several years by archaeologists researching the shipyard by the River Rother. This was one of the most significant royal shipbuilding centres of medieval England.

Excavations that have taken place over the last three years have found evidence of medieval shipbuilding and breaking from the 13th to 15th centuries. Over time, the site gradually silted up and the industry declined.

Religion was a central part of daily life in most Roman provinces, and statues as well as portable figurines of gods like the one discovered at Smallhythe were worshipped.

Pipeclay figurines were made of clays local to central Gaul (now France) and the Rhine-Moselle region covering countries such as France and Germany.

They were imported but most pipeclay figurines found in Britain are of female deities, the majority being of Venus.

Dr Matthew Fittock, an expert on ceramic figurines in Roman Britain, said: “Pipeclay figurines were mainly used by civilians for private religious practice in domestic shrines and occasionally in temples and the graves of often sick children.

“Rather than pieces being discarded because they were broken. There is evidence to suggest that deliberately breaking some figurine heads was an important ritual practice, whereas whole figurines are usually found in graves.

“Finds like this at Smallhythe provide an extremely valuable insight into the religious beliefs and practices of the culturally mixed populations of the Roman provinces.”

The Mercury head along with other finds from the excavation will go on show from Wednesday, February 28 at Smallhythe Place.

For more information and opening times click here.