More than 200 clay breasts fired at Roman fort

More than 200 pottery breasts have been fired at a Roman fort in a nod to ancient healing traditions.

Sarah Lord, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, created 225 clay breasts as the reconstructed kiln at Vindolanda Roman Fort in Northumberland was fired up for the first time in more than two years.

Across the Roman Empire, those afflicted by illnesses and ailments made votive body parts and offered them to the gods in the hope they would be healed.

Lord said: "Romans used to rely on hope alone, but now there are wonderful opportunities for women to have greater hope and greater chances of survival."

The 44-year-old described undergoing chemotherapy as one of the hardest things she has ever had to go through.

She had to take time away from the pottery business she runs with her father following her diagnosis.

Four years on, she has had the all clear but is continuing treatment which aims to stop cancer from returning.

In a nod to the Roman custom, she has a pair of votive breasts hanging in her home in Rothbury.

"When I hold them, it makes me think about every woman who has come before me and has had varying kinds of treatment, and not as good as what I've had," she said.

As part of the kiln firing event in October, Lord also created statues and pots adorned with breasts, some of which have up to 12 on their chests.

Vindolanda's head of visitor experience Sonya Galloway said it helped to show how Romans dealt with their health challenges, while raising awareness today.

"It's not a taboo subject," she said. "It happens to men and women, it's great to support and raise awareness.

"For Romans, [a votive] could be anything from a foot, an ear, any body part could be created, and they would offer that to the gods in the hope they would be healed."

Lord said the creations had sparked conversations.

"One of the nicest things for me was while we were firing there were several women who came up and talked about their breast cancer experience.

"To have these conversations with women who have gone through it, it's the most beautiful feeling to see all these survivors."

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram and listen to Radio Newcastle on BBC Sounds.