The New Mithraeum
19 Aug 2021
Updated on Oct 2022
Excavations to the east of the Roman fort of Inveresk in 2010 partly uncovered remains of a Mithraeum – the first from Scotland, and the earliest securely dated example from Britain.
A large rectangular sunken feature with lateral benches contained two altars buried face down at its north-western end. One was dedicated to Mithras, with iconography of both Mithras (ravens and a torch) and Apollo (griffin, lyre and a probable plectrum) as well as libation vessels. The other was dedicated to Sol, with a frieze above showing the four Seasons.
The Sol altar was a dramatic one…
A large rectangular sunken feature with lateral benches contained two altars buried face down at its north-western end. One was dedicated to Mithras, with iconography of both Mithras (ravens and a torch) and Apollo (griffin, lyre and a probable plectrum) as well as libation vessels. The other was dedicated to Sol, with a frieze above showing the four Seasons.
The Sol altar was a dramatic one…
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