Rudchester Mithraeum (Vindobala or Vindovala) (Heddon-on-the-Wall)
(Previously recorded by the Ordnance Survey as NZ 16 NW 11.2 and NZ 16 NW 38)
(NZ 1106 6745). Mithraeum (site of) [T.I.]. (1)
The mithraeum is situated at the junction of two former hedges, one running from Rudchester farmyard to a point on the March Burn 180yds south of the road; and the other from the south end of the present western plantation past the spring. The line of the former can still be determined partly as a bank, and partly as demarcation between ridge and furrow ploughing. Excavation between May and August 1953 showed the mithraeum to consist of two building phases. The first, orientated north west-south east, had an overall length of 60ft, with a segmental apse at the west end, and narthex at the entrance. It was built in the early third century over an earlier, unidentified structure apparently of Antonine date. Rebuilding took place towards the end of the century, and the new temple, identical in plan with the first except for the narthex, incorporated two centurial stones from the Vallum, one inscribed 7 iv.v. It was short-lived, and was probably finally desecrated early in the 4th century. Four altars were recovered during the excavation additional to five previously found in the vicinity in August 1844. Only four of the total are inscribed. (2a) There are no surface remains. The site falls in a pasture field between two areas of ridge and furrow ploughing. Finds are now in the Newcastle Museum of Antiquities. (2)
Mithraeum, 26ft x 60ft, with a true apse. Narthex c12ft deep and 8ft narrower then main body; removed in second period. No spring at Rudchester, but stone laver instead. Date to early 3rd century, built over an earlier pit; collapsed into pit. Rebuilt after a gap in the later 3rd century. Possibly destroyed in early 4th century. (3)
The mithraeum has been partly overlain and protected by a positive lynchet/fieldbank. The 1953 excavation trench can be identified on the ground by slight scarps, vegetation-marks and the local modification of the lynchet. The N and E parts of the mithraeum were well preserved but the S and W were largely destroyed. A suggested alternative reconstruction of the SW corner, giving the building a symmetrical W end, was published following field survey. (4a-b)
Scheduled (4c)
Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (4d)
General association with HER 10856 (Rudchester Roman Fort), HER 10891 (altars and centurial stones), and HER 10897 (Rudchester Vicus). (4)
(NZ 1106 6745). Mithraeum (site of) [T.I.]. (1)
The mithraeum is situated at the junction of two former hedges, one running from Rudchester farmyard to a point on the March Burn 180yds south of the road; and the other from the south end of the present western plantation past the spring. The line of the former can still be determined partly as a bank, and partly as demarcation between ridge and furrow ploughing. Excavation between May and August 1953 showed the mithraeum to consist of two building phases. The first, orientated north west-south east, had an overall length of 60ft, with a segmental apse at the west end, and narthex at the entrance. It was built in the early third century over an earlier, unidentified structure apparently of Antonine date. Rebuilding took place towards the end of the century, and the new temple, identical in plan with the first except for the narthex, incorporated two centurial stones from the Vallum, one inscribed 7 iv.v. It was short-lived, and was probably finally desecrated early in the 4th century. Four altars were recovered during the excavation additional to five previously found in the vicinity in August 1844. Only four of the total are inscribed. (2a) There are no surface remains. The site falls in a pasture field between two areas of ridge and furrow ploughing. Finds are now in the Newcastle Museum of Antiquities. (2)
Mithraeum, 26ft x 60ft, with a true apse. Narthex c12ft deep and 8ft narrower then main body; removed in second period. No spring at Rudchester, but stone laver instead. Date to early 3rd century, built over an earlier pit; collapsed into pit. Rebuilt after a gap in the later 3rd century. Possibly destroyed in early 4th century. (3)
The mithraeum has been partly overlain and protected by a positive lynchet/fieldbank. The 1953 excavation trench can be identified on the ground by slight scarps, vegetation-marks and the local modification of the lynchet. The N and E parts of the mithraeum were well preserved but the S and W were largely destroyed. A suggested alternative reconstruction of the SW corner, giving the building a symmetrical W end, was published following field survey. (4a-b)
Scheduled (4c)
Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (4d)
General association with HER 10856 (Rudchester Roman Fort), HER 10891 (altars and centurial stones), and HER 10897 (Rudchester Vicus). (4)
N10898
EXCAVATION, Rudchester Mithraeum 1953; GILLAM, J
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1966; R W Emsley
MEASURED SURVEY, RCHME: Rudchester Survey 1990; RCHME
WATCHING BRIEF, B6318 'Military Road', Throckley-Gilsland 2007; Pre-Construct Archaeology
MEASURED SURVEY, RCHME: Hadrian's Wall Project ; RCHME
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1966; R W Emsley
MEASURED SURVEY, RCHME: Rudchester Survey 1990; RCHME
WATCHING BRIEF, B6318 'Military Road', Throckley-Gilsland 2007; Pre-Construct Archaeology
MEASURED SURVEY, RCHME: Hadrian's Wall Project ; RCHME
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