Unique Roman altar stones add 'fascinating new chapter to story'
Bryan Copland • Published 17 Mar 2011 09:28
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THE front face of this altar stone, discovered at Lewisvale Park, Musselburgh, shows female heads which represent the four seasons - spring, summer, autumn and winter.
TWO "internationally significant" Roman altar stones discovered in a Musselburgh park last year during redevelopment work have revealed a "fascinating new chapter" in the story of the area's Roman past.
Investigations have been carried out into the rare, beautifully carved altars found at Lewisvale Park, close to historic Inveresk, which are believed to be unique to Scotland if not Britain and date from about 200 AD.
The exciting discovery was made in March last year while work had been carried out on a cricket pavilion there. The stones were removed and put into storage by AOC Archaeology Group, working in partnership with East Lothian Council and Historic Scotland.
Just the backs and sides were visible at the time, and last month - for conservation reasons - a full inspection was carried out. The results, now revealed below, have greatly excited archaeologists.
The first stone has side panels depicting a lyre - a stringed musical instrument - and a griffon, a mythical beast which had a lion's body and an eagle's head and wings, along with pictures of a jug and bowl, objects which would have been used for pouring offerings on the altar.
The front face bears a carved inscription dedicating the altar to the god Mithras.
The front face of the second stone (pictured) shows female heads which represent the four seasons - spring, summer, autumn and winter. All are wearing headdresses - spring flowers, summer foliage, autumn grapes and a shawl for winter.
The centre of the stone contains a carving of the face of a god, probably Sol, wearing a solar crown. The eyes, mouth and solar rays are all pierced and the hollowed rear shaft would probably have held a lantern or candle letting the light shine through.
An inscription on a panel beneath the four seasons is currently partially obscured but likely bears the name of the dedicator who is believed to be a Roman centurion, and the god to whom the altar is dedicated. Traces of red and white paint are still visible beneath the inscription panel suggesting that it was originally brightly painted at least in part.
Dr James Bruhn, of Historic Scotland, explained that the discovery of altar stones to the eastern god Mithras added a "fascinating new chapter to the story of Inveresk's Roman past".
He said: "The quality of the altars highlights the rich archaeological remains surviving beneath the houses, gardens and parks of Inveresk and the ongoing need for us all to work together to protect and manage one of Scotland's most important Roman sites."
John Gooder, operations director at AOC Archaeology Group, who discovered the altar stones during monitor works, said: "It was a fantastic moment when I first realised that the stones we were cleaning were, in fact, ornately sculptured Roman altars. Their survival is testament to the merits of our statutory protection system and the planning process, which will also ensure that they are appropriately analysed, conserved and curated and that information about them is available to everybody in due course."
East Lothian councillor Ruth Currie added: "This is enormously exciting and its significance could be huge. These beautiful artefacts could reveal a whole new strand of East Lothian's history and even shed light on the way the Romans lived on an international scale."
Analysis into the importance of the altars is ongoing. The items are Treasure Trove, which means that a panel of Crown Office experts will determine their final location once full analysis is complete. Shards of pottery, along with remains of burnt cereal grans and charcoal, were also discovered.
Inveresk Roman fort stood around the area where St Michael's Kirk now stands on headland overlooking the River Esk. It is known to have been occupied approximately 1,800 years ago and was an important military post.
The construction of the new cricket pavilion was held up for a number of weeks following the discovery, but work is now complete and it will be in operation for the new cricket season.
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