Archaeologists uncovered an idol in a garbage pit of an ancient Roman fort built around 100 AD in Durham, England. Though they aren’t certain which deity the idol represented, the lead archaeologist said it resembled other idols of the celtic god Antenociticus used by military in their prayers.

A nearby shrine probably housed the idol and it was here the Roman soldiers gathered to pray.

But this is where it gets interesting.

It appears the idol was thrown in the pit as the Roman army abandoned the fort in the fourth century. By this time, the Roman Empire was in its death throes and their once invincible army was being defeated on every front.

Forced to abandon their fort, did this final gesture of throwing the idol in the garbage heap, represent one soldier’s disgust with his god’s inability to help them?

It reminds me of the story of Elijah and his encounter with the prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel. In this power encounter, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal as to whether their god — who was the god of storms and often portrayed with a thunderbolt in his hand –or Jehovah could set fire to an altar.

As the prophets of Baal danced around the altar, their desperation increased and they cut themselves to invoke an answer from Baal – an answer that never came.

26 Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, “O Baal, answer us.” But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar, which they made.

27 It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened.”

28 So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them.

29 When midday was past, they raved until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice; but there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention. (1 Kings 18:26-29)