A 28,000-year-old phallus found in Germany recently, for example, is quoted as being the oldest known 'sex toy' ever found. While phalluses made from stone, wood, leather and even camel dung have all be found during excavations, or referenced throughout historical text and images. To celebrate this expansive history of sexual experience, the Wellcome Collection currently has a number of ceremonial sculptures shaped - among other sexual artefacts - as part of its exhibition. In some pagan cultures, a female orgasm was seen as an offering to the gods of fertility, while the phallic symbol was popular during ancient Roman times. In particular, statues of fertility god Priapus with a large phallus would be used to protect gardens and help crops grow. In Greek mythology, Priapus was depicted with oversized, permanent erection, which is where the name for the medical term priapism originated. Priapism is a persistent and often painful erection that lasts for several hours - in rare case, for weeks. A solid bronze amulet, in the form of Priapus, is among the artefacts displayed at the Wellcome Collection. Phallic charms of the time were known as fascinum, and were even found in the ruins of Pompeii, and it was believed that the symbols could ward off evil spirits. Meanwhile, the phallic deity Mutunus Tutunus was a symbol of marital sex. In Turkey, during the 6th century BC, ancient Anatolians used sculptures of sex organs to ward off evil and ill luck as they believed they contained special powers. The aids were also used in Renaissance Italy, and were typically made of leather and used with olive oil for lubrication. High class members of society would even display their sex toys, often made from silver, gold and ivory. However, they were said to be painful to use and their popularity waned. In 2005, a 7. Due to its size, experts believe it may be the earliest example of a sex aid ever found, but could have also been used for knapping flints to help light fires, said Professor Nicholas Conard, from the department of Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology, at Tübingen University. During excavations at Neolithic site Membury Rings in Dorset in the early 20th century, archaeologists found various deposits of artefacts and other material, including antler, animal and human bone, flints and carved chalk. During excavations at Neolithic site Membury Rings in Dorset, archaeologists found various deposits of artefacts and other material, including antler, animal and human bone, and flints. Among these artefacts was a phallic-shaped object made of chalk pictured that measures 4-inches long. However, its use is unknown Among these artefacts was a phallic-shaped object made from chalk and measures approximately 4-inches long. However, its use is unknown. In some pagan cultures, a female orgasm was seen as an offering to the gods of fertility, while the phallic symbol was popular during ancient Roman times. In particular, statues of fertility god Priapus with a large phallus would be used to protect gardens and help crops grow. In Greek mythology, Priapus was depicted with oversized, permanent erection, which is where the name for the medical term priapism originated. Priapism is a persistent and often painful erection that lasts for several hours - in rare case, for weeks. Statues of fertility god Priapus with a large phallus would be used to protect gardens and help crops grow. Priapus was often depicted with oversized, permanent erection, which is where the name for the medical term priapism originated. Priapism is a persistent and often painful erection that lasts for hours Phallic charms of the time were known as fascinum examples pictured , and were even found in the ruins of Pompeii, and it was believed that the symbols could ward off evil spirits. Used in ancient Roman religion and magic, the fascinum referred to the god Fascinus. The phallus was used to summon divine protection A solid bronze amulet, in the form of Priapus, is among the artefacts displayed at the Wellcome Collection. Phallic charms of the time were known as fascinum, and were even found in the ruins of Pompeii, and it was believed that the symbols could ward off evil spirits. Used in ancient Roman religion and magic, the fascinum referred to the god Fascinus. The phallus was used to summon divine protection. Meanwhile, the phallic deity Mutunus Tutunus was a symbol of marital sex. The 'Veedee' massager pictured is said to have been used by doctors to cure Victorian women of hysteria. But this has been disputed as myth In Turkey, during the 6th century BC, ancient Anatolians used sculptures of sex organs to ward off evil and ill luck as they believed they contained special powers. Much later, in 18th century France, the first vibrator called Tremoussoir was built. It was a handheld, wind-up contraption designed by physicians. In 1869, an American physician George Taylor is credited as creating a steam-powered version called the Manipulator, before an electromechanical vibrator was developed in 1880 by Dr Joseph Granville. Far from being sexual aids, these devices were said to have been used to treat female hysteria. Reports claim that doctors as far back as the 13th century doubted that women had libidos and advised using sex toys to alleviate sexual frustration. Physicians during the 20th century would then use vibrators for clitoral stimulation to treat this so-called hysteria, which comes from the Greek word for uterus. Symptoms for hysteria included anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability and erotic fantasies. One such vibrator, called Veedee, is on display at the Wellcome Collection, but a spokesman told MailOnline that its use as a Victorian tool by doctors to induce orgasms has been disputed as myth. The first rubber dildos have been traced back to around 1850 and they started appearing in movies during the 1930s and 1940s. At this point, many were called marital aids, rather than sexual aids. And there were battery powered ones.