Roman altars to Mithras and Sol found in Inveresk cricket pavilion
Archaeologists uncovered two buried Roman sandstone altars dedicated to Mithras and Sol during the rebuilding of a cricket pavilion in Inveresk near Edinburgh in 2010.
Discovery at the cricket pavilion
Workers unearthed the structures while reconstructing the local cricket pavilion in 2010. The altars were made of sandstone quarried nearby and deliberately buried during the Roman era. They date to the 140s CE and served a temple devoted to the worship of Mithras.
Details of the carved stone
One altar features a frieze with four female faces representing the seasons, including a youthful spring figure. A carving of the sun god Sol appears beneath these faces with rays hollowed through the stone. An iron hook behind the god's mouth likely held a metallic object to create light and shadow effects.
Significance of the find
The altars were finely made but extremely fragile when discovered lying on their sides. Archaeologist Fraser Hunter believes the hollowed rays would have thrown atmospheric flickers into the dark temple interior. The cult relied on secret rituals and was much beloved by the Roman military.
Reported by one outlet
Only one outlet has published this. Nothing here has been checked against a second report, so read it as that outlet's account and follow the link below for the original.
Reported by
1 independent outlet. Headline as published. Links open the original report.