Ancient Roman altars from Inveresk to go on display in Edinburgh

Two Roman stone altars found at Inveresk will be shown publicly for the first time at the National Museums of Scotland as part of the Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire exhibition running 14 November 2026 to 28 April 2027.

Two ancient Roman stone altars discovered near Edinburgh are to be displayed publicly for the first time at the National Museums of Scotland (NMS). The stones were used in worship of the god Mithras by soldiers about 2,000 years ago and date to around 140AD, a period when southern Scotland was reoccupied under Emperor Antoninus Pius. The altars were excavated in 2010 and acquired for the nation by NMS in 2016. They have been conserved and reconstructed after being found in fragments. Key details: - The altars were discovered at Inveresk in East Lothian and date to about 140AD. - They are the only examples of their kind found in Scotland and were excavated in 2010. - One altar depicts the face of Sol and was carved to allow light to shine from behind; it also shows the four seasons as female figures. - The second altar honours Mithras and includes symbols linked to other light gods, including Apollo, and animals such as the griffin. - Both were dedicated by a Roman centurion likely named Gaius Cassius Flavianus and are associated with a Mithraeum used by soldiers. - The objects were acquired by NMS in 2016 and have undergone conservation to prepare them for display. Summary: The altars provide direct material evidence of Mithras worship on the northern Roman frontier and illuminate aspects of military religious life in mid-second century Britain. The National Museums of Scotland plans to display them in the Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire exhibition from 14 November 2026 to 28 April 2027.