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Ancient Roman Altars to Go on Display in Edinburgh
The altars date to around 140AD and reveal new insights into Roman frontier soldiers' beliefs and the Mithras cult, challenging views on the empire's northern reach.
- On announcement, National Museums Scotland will display two carved stone altars excavated at Inveresk, East Lothian, dating to around 140AD, conserved and shown for the first time in November 2026.
- Seen through a religious lens, the altars are said to be central to a Mithraic temple, with Dr Fraser Hunter stating they 'bring the beliefs of the Roman frontier to life.'
- Conservators found one altar depicting Sol with carvings of the four seasons backlit to glow, while the companion Mithras altar has Apollo-linked carvings and traces of vibrant paint.
- Dedicated inscriptions identify both altars as by Gaius Cassius Flavianus, and curators say exhibiting Inveresk finds together will shed light on Roman occupation; the display will reveal supply networks and local impacts.
- Placed in broader context, the exhibition Roman Scotland: Life On The Edge Of Empire will challenge the misconception that Romans never advanced beyond Hadrian’s Wall, highlighting the Antonine Wall from November 2026 until April 28, 2027.
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13 Articles
13 Articles
Evening Standard+5 Reposted by 5 other sources
Roman altars acquired for nation to go on show for first time
The altars have undergone extensive conservation work.
·London, United Kingdom
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The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Roman altars found near Edinburgh reveal secrets of mysterious cult
The artefacts were once part of a temple to the god Mithras
·London, United Kingdom
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The National Museum of Scotland has incorporated into its permanent collection two outstandingly invoiced stone altars from the Roman fort of Inveresk in East Lothian, and the pieces will be exhibited for the first time to the public as part of the exhibition Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire, which will open its doors [...]
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 43%
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