Bo'ness, Carriden, Stacks Farm, Roman Altar

NT08SW 11 02884 80767

(NT 0280 8076) Roman Altar found AD 1956 (NAT) A Roman altar of sandstone was found early in 1956 whilst ploughing at Stacks Farm, near the Roman fort at Carriden (NT08SW 7). Mr J Paul, the farmer, presented the stone to the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland (NMAS).

The altar is 3' high and bears an inscription the translation of which reads, "To Jupiter the Best and Greater God, the villagers (vikani) dwelling at Fort Velunias (castello Veluniate) gladly willingly and deservedly fulfilled their vow: Aelius Mansuetus had charge (of the work)".

This is the first inscription found in Scotland that gives the name of the place where it was erected, and it confirms the Ravenna Cosmography which lists "Velunia" as one of the terminal forts of the Antonine Wall. I A Richmond and K A Steer 1959; Information contained in letter from

K A Steer to OS 3 November 1956.

NT 0280 8076. The approximate findspot of the altar was pointed out on the ground by Mr Paul. The site falls in a field under cultivation, and nothing of significance is to be seen on the surface.

Visited by OS (D S) 25 January 1957.

NT 0281 8079. This altar stone was found by Mr McClure, the ploughman. He pointed out the findspot on the ground.

Visited by OS (B S) 15 March 1974.

The altar was found at the edge of the same field in which Carriden Roman fort is located. The field is at present under cultivation and nothing of significance was found in the area during the survey.

Site recorded by GUARD during the Coastal Assessment Survey for Historic Scotland, 'The Firth of Forth from Dunbar to the Coast of Fife' 19 February 1996.

based on the location map published in Richmond and Steer (1959), the find spot of the altar may be more precisely given as approximately NT 02884 80767.

Information from RCAHMS (PM) 22 June 2006

Richmond and Steer (1959)

Richmond and Steer (1959).