Monument record MCC8408 - Colchester - Balkerne Lane
Summary
Location
| Grid reference | TL 9921 2497 (point) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | TL92SE |
| Non Parish Area | COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX |
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
A large Roman altar of sandstone found in excavtions for a sewer in Balkerne Lane just outside the SW angle of the town wall, c.6ft below the surface. It is said that it was found in the town ditch. It is just over 4ft high, and c.2ft square. The top is broekn but the inscription in a moulded panel is intact and translates as "To the Silvanian Mother Similis, son of Attius, a citizen of the Cantii, gladly pays his vow". An altar of these dimensions in such a place suggests the proximity of a temple of the matres. The site is near to that of St Mary's Church which may be significant but that is inside the walls.`Heavy masonry noted near Bull Hotel possibly could have been a temple of the Matres'. <1>< Other refs. <2> - <6>
Sources/Archives (6)
- <1> SEX33867 DESC TEXT: Hull, MR. 1958. Roman Colchester. p240.
- <2> SEX373 DESC TEXT: Trans Essex Archaeological Soc. unknown. Trans Essex Archaeol Soc. Vol 7, p.257.
- <3> SEX1942 DESC TEXT: British Archaeology Association. unknown. J Brit Archaeol Ass. Vol 37, p.227.
- <4> SEX36819 DESC TEXT: Price, JE. unknown. Trans Essex Archaeol Soc. NS, Vol 2, p266.
- <5> SEX376 DESC TEXT: Archaeol J. unknown. Archaeol J. Vol 38, p.430.
- <6> SEX376 DESC TEXT: Archaeol J. unknown. Archaeol J. Vol 39, p.355.
Finds (1)
Protected Status/Designation
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Nov 3 2015 11:41AM