Roman altars found near Whitley Castle (Knaresdale with Kirkhaugh)
[NY 6953 4885] (1) Two altars found about a hundred yards north east of the north east angle of Whitley Castle. One, in 1803, and removed to Bedfordshire, was dedicated to Hercules. The other, uncovered while digging a drain in 1837, was mounted on a pedestal set on four rough pillars. A foundation deposit of four coins included one of Faustina I. The altar, inscribed:
D o Apo n G lus coh Ne
is now in the Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle. A third inscribed altar, seen at Castle Nook Farm [NY 6958 4900] is now lost. (2)(3) [See also NY 64 NE for a 4th Altar]
These finds suggest a shrine or temple, but there are no surface traces of one. (4)
Above altar, removed to Bedford, is in Bedford Museum. (5)
One of the Roman altars from the site (RIB 1199) is currently (2013) located in the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and Museum in Bedford. A photograph of the altar has been taken by the correspondent to the HER. (6)
The findspot of the Roman altars from Whitley Castle has been examined by English Heritage as part of the Whitley Castle Roman fort survey undertaken as part of the Miner-Farmer Landscapes Project of the North Pennines AONB. The location of the altars would seem likely to have come from a shrine close to the west of the byre at Castle Nook. However nothing was observed in this area which would confirm this through disturbance to the area as farming detritus and hollows associated with the drainage of the area. (7)
Additional Reference (8)
D o Apo n G lus coh Ne
is now in the Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle. A third inscribed altar, seen at Castle Nook Farm [NY 6958 4900] is now lost. (2)(3) [See also NY 64 NE for a 4th Altar]
These finds suggest a shrine or temple, but there are no surface traces of one. (4)
Above altar, removed to Bedford, is in Bedford Museum. (5)
One of the Roman altars from the site (RIB 1199) is currently (2013) located in the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and Museum in Bedford. A photograph of the altar has been taken by the correspondent to the HER. (6)
The findspot of the Roman altars from Whitley Castle has been examined by English Heritage as part of the Whitley Castle Roman fort survey undertaken as part of the Miner-Farmer Landscapes Project of the North Pennines AONB. The location of the altars would seem likely to have come from a shrine close to the west of the byre at Castle Nook. However nothing was observed in this area which would confirm this through disturbance to the area as farming detritus and hollows associated with the drainage of the area. (7)
Additional Reference (8)
N5935
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1966; R W Emsley
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1974; N K Blood
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1974; N K Blood
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.