Mithraeum of Colchester

TNMM 73 ↔ CIMRM 829

Remnants of a Mithraeum, discovered for a second time (1929) East of the temple dedicated to Claudius. Formerly (1853) explained as a water-basin.

New excavations have made it possible to draw up a ground-plan. The underground sanctuary A is preceded by a higher (2.00), overground room D, a pseudo-porticus accessible on the E.-side by an entrance. Along a narrow corridor, past several apartments one arrives at another entrance (Br. 1.43), which leads to a flight of stairs, which give access to the actual sanctuary. This is enclosed by heavy (1.00) brick walls, parts of which are still erect on the S.-side.

The room, which is twice as long as broad (L. 13.00 Br. 6.50) is divided into three parts: the central aisle: in which still footsteps are visible, and the two sidebenches with elevations against the backwall. These were made of wood as is clear from traces of wooden beams, which are visible in the small gutters (Br. 0.25 D.0.20), which were made in the floor on a distance of 1.57 from the walls.

Near the N.-wall, approximately in the middle, an isosceles triangle has been hewn out (base 0.42; sides 0.30). Under the stairs is a well, of which the richly flowing water is checked by a small dam. But sufficient water passes through it to fill a square cement pit (Br. 1.00 D. 0.66) in front of the well. Excess water is lead away through a square hole (Br. 0.22) in the N.W.-corner. This communicates with the sewerage of the town.

No cult-objects have been preserved, but the room was full of pottery for the greater part refuse from the fourth cent., which judging from its position must have been thrown over the walls.

Of the few entire pieces, we mention only a sieve of grey material. Moreover a skeleton was found.

The exact date is hard to define. The coins date from Trajanus to Valens or Valentinianus. Numerous are the coins of the Tetrici (about 270), whereas a coin of Constans as Augustus, found in the under layer, may point to the possibility, that the Mithraeum was still in use in the period of 337-350. The date of building is rather early, accordiug to the other coins. The walls however, date from the same time as the rampart, the date of which is most probably the second cent. according to Hull. But this is a vexed question.

Large Roman building in Insula 15, within a walled enclosure, interpreted as a possible Mithraeum (now discounted) or waterworks, situated in Castle Park and exposed during excavations in 1852/3, 1928 and 1954.

The building was once more exposed during excavations by Rex Hull in 1954 (ECC1760) when a further room was discovered, discounting his earlier theory that the building was a Mithraic temple (although the name has stuck). He concluded that the building had been deliberately emolished not earlier than the reign of Constans (AD 337-50). This excavation also confirmed that several walls discovered in 1928/9 were in fact parts of the outer walls of the building.[1]

CIMRM II 829

Mrs. J. M. C. Toynbee writes me that she doubts the Mithraic character of the underground constructions at Colchester.