Last updated 16:39, Sunday, 20 April 2008

Sculptures of three small hooded figures can be found on sites along the line of Hadrian’s Wall and in some of the Roman settlements nearby. Archaeologists call them the ‘Genii Cucullati’ – which simply means ‘hooded gods’.

The hooded cloak can be identified as the ‘Birrus Britannicus’, which has been considered by some scholars to be the national dress of the Celtic inhabitants of Britain.

A long, hooded woollen cloak would certainly have been practical in keeping the wearer warm and dry.

The date can be confirmed by its appearance on figures shown in Roman mosaics.

But who were these figures? They are fairly crudely carved – and one modern author has shown that he could carve a set in under an hour.

However, they all have a resemblance to one another, suggesting that they have a special meaning.

Close examination shows that they are carrying something, possibly an egg.

This could be seen as a symbol of re-birth. If this is the case, then they can be seen as fertility spirits.

The figures are always males, which means they could be seen as complementing the similar sculptures of the three mother goddesses that are also found in this area.

The fact that they occur in threes shows that they come from the spirit world, as three was a magic number to the Celts.

Terry Pratchett, the ever-popular fantasy author, may have used these figures as a model for his Auditors of Reality – since he describes them as hooded figures going around in threes.