Roman shrine found at nature reserve

Archaeologists have uncovered a Roman shrine at Rutland Water nature reserve. The team from Northamptonshire Archaeology investigated the site ahead of a 240-acre extension to the reserve by Anglian Water. They found the remains of an Iron Age farmstead, and a shrine dating from about AD100.

The team discovered a circular stone building with decorated red
and white painted walls [Credit: BBC]

Jo Everitt, Anglian Water's environment and heritage assessor, said: "Finding Roman shrines is not the norm, so we were delighted."

Ritual sacrifice

Roman sites had been found in the area at Collyweston Great Woods, 14km (eight miles) to the south-east of Rutland, and another to the north-west of Rutland Water, near Oakham.

Archaeologists believe the shrine fell out of use in AD300 [Credit: BBC]

However, nothing had previously been discovered near the lagoons along the western edge of the reservoir.

The team discovered a circular stone building, about 10.5m (34ft) wide, with decorated red and white painted walls.

A skeleton of a man, aged about 30, was buried in a grave in
the centre of the shrine [Credit: BBC]

They also found more than 200 Roman coins, pottery jars, part of a small bronze figurine and deposits of animal bone, probably from the ritual sacrifice of lambs and cattle.

A skeleton of a man, aged about 30, was buried in a grave in the centre of the shrine. The archaeologists believe the shrine fell out of use in AD300.

Pottery jars were found at the shrine along with 200 Roman coins and deposits of animal
bone, probably from the ritual sacrifice of lambs and cattle [Credit: BBC]

Ms Everitt added: "We've recreated part of the foundation and wall of the shrine from the original stone on an area outside of the lagoons so visitors to Rutland can see what it looked like."

The findings from the dig are currently being displayed at the Rutland Water visitor centre.

Source: BBC News Website [July 01, 2013]