Two intricately carved stone altars, unearthed at a Roman fort near Edinburgh and now secured for the nation, are set to make their public debut in a groundbreaking new exhibition. These remarkable artefacts once formed the core of the Roman Empire's most northerly known temple dedicated to the god Mithras, a secretive and male-only religion that celebrated the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
Discovery and Historical Significance
Excavated at Inveresk in East Lothian, the altars date to approximately 140AD, a period when southern Scotland was reoccupied under the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius. Curators believe these objects provide unprecedented insights into the spiritual beliefs and daily lives of soldiers stationed on the empire's remote frontier. Originally acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2016, the altars have since undergone extensive and meticulous conservation work to prepare them for display.
Expert Analysis and Exhibition Details
Dr Fraser Hunter, principal curator of prehistory and Roman archaeology at National Museums Scotland, expressed his enthusiasm for the artefacts. "These stunning altars truly bring the beliefs of the Roman frontier to vivid life," he stated. "The exceptional quality of the carving, along with traces of original paint and dramatic lighting effects, confirms they were impressive and costly monuments." Dr Hunter elaborated that the cult of Mithras offered soldiers a profound sense of purpose and the promise of an afterlife, reinforcing their morale on the edge of the empire.
The exhibition, titled Roman Scotland: Life On The Edge Of Empire, will open at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh in November 2026 and run until 28 April 2027. It aims to challenge the common misconception that Roman influence never extended beyond Hadrian's Wall, highlighting instead how the empire pushed north into Scotland's central belt and north-east regions on multiple occasions.
Artistic and Religious Features
One of the altars depicts the face of the sun god Sol, accompanied by carvings of the four seasons represented as female deities. Curators note that it would have been illuminated from behind, creating a mesmerising effect in the dim light of the temple where worshippers would have seen Sol's eyes, mouth, and the rays of his solar crown glowing ethereally.
The second altar is dedicated to Mithras himself and is adorned with intricate carvings associated with Apollo, another deity of light. These include a lyre, a griffin, a plectrum, and two ravens, symbols frequently found in Mithraic imagery. Both altars were dedicated by a legionary centurion, likely Gaius Cassius Flavianus, whose abbreviated name, G CAS FLA, is inscribed on the stone. It is believed he commanded the fort garrison at Inveresk during this period.
Conservation and Revelations
Following their excavation in 2010, the altars were found broken into numerous fragments due to centuries buried underground. During the painstaking conservation process, experts identified faint traces of paint on the carvings, revealing that the altars were originally painted in vibrant, striking colours, adding a new dimension to their historical and artistic significance.
The exhibition will also display finds from Inveresk together for the first time, shedding new light on the Roman occupation in Scotland. It will demonstrate how this "significant frontier outpost" was supplied from across the vast empire and explore the profound impacts this occupation had on the local indigenous population. Fortifications such as the Antonine Wall, constructed from the Clyde to the Forth, along with coastal forts like Inveresk, underscored Rome's ambitious but temporary hold on the region.
