A gold coin linking East and West from Antonine Scotland

Another archaeological discovery from the Antonine era at Newstead in southern Scotland which links the area to the wider Roman world is a gold aureus of Trajan m, minted to commemorate his victory over the Parthians in the war of 114-117. Once again the reach of Roman military might can be seen linking Scotland to the Near East through the image and power of a the Emperor.

Archaeology News reported on the discovery last year. and the coin was about to go on display at the Trimontium Museum in the Scottish Borders. Tha article can be accessed at Rare Roman gold coin found in Scottish Borders to be displayed

Mithraism in second century Scotland

Excavations in 2010 at Inveresk, close to the northern coast of East Lothian uncovered two very handsome altars intended for the worship of Mithras. The Eastern mystery cult of Mithras was, of course, particularly popular with the Roman military. They date from the second century occupation of this part of Scotland, and are evidence for the most northerly Mithraiam known in Britain. 

The two altars have been acquired by the National Museum of Scotland and will feature in a forthcoming exhibition at the NMS in Edinburgh.

This is reported upon by BBC News in Ancient Roman altars to go on display in Edinburgh

There is a little more information in the Wikipedia entry for Inveresk

The Antonine Wall at Bearsden

Having constructed Hadrian’s Wall the Romans then moved north into what we now know as Northumberland and souther Scotland with a new frontier along the Antonine Wall. This second century acquisition was relatively soon abandoned, but still left a number of archaeological remains. This includes the evidence of stone buildings at Bearsden, north west of Glasgow.

This site is described on Wikipedia at Bearsden

 and in an article from The National at How archaeologists digging in a back garden near Glasgow found a historic fort

Footprints from the past

We begin on the coast of Angus in Scotland where human and animal footprints dating from the late Iron Age or early Roman period were discovered and recorded at Lunan Bay which lies between Montrose at the north and Arbroath at the south.

Live Sxience reported the discovery at In a 'race against time,' archaeologists uncovered Roman-era footprints from a Scottish beach before the tide washed them away

More on a High Imperial Theme

A couple of months ago, I posted a thread on recent discoveries on Roman Imperial history. Since then, I have come across more online material about discoveries and new interpretations of archaeological material relating to the period. I am therefore going to post another slightly longer thread. By doing, so, it means it each particular topic gets a post of its own, but they are linked in a sequence which hopefully illuminates something of the history of the period. 

As with the previous postings I will start on the northern frontier of Roman Britannia with the tribes to the north, and what is now Scotland, and then move southwards across the country before moving to discoveries in western and central Europe, and ending up once again on the cultural frontier between Rome and both Egypt and Persia in the Levant.

 I hope the journey proves interesting to my readers.

Arguably the earliest surviving European handgun?

Live Science has a report about the discovery in Brandenburg of fragments of what may be the earliest known European gunpowder propelled handgun. The suggested date is that it was used during the siege of a nearby in 1390, almost a decade before what was thought to be the earliest evidence for such a weapon.These early hand guns or hand cannons had an inconsiderate habit of exploding, as evidenced by the fragments found on the battlefield of Towton from 1461.

The bronze fragments that have been recovered are illustrated in the article which can be seen at Europe's oldest handgun may date to 14th-century siege at German castle

The future for monastic life in France

 

The National Catholic Reporter has an article about the current state of enclosed monastic communities in France. The story begins with rumours and discussions about the future of the renowned Cistercian house of La Trappe, and documents a depressing story of decline and closure or relocation in other houses. 

However it also reports on the evidence in some cases of revival and new foundations in monasteries abandoned by their original communities. It is perhaps noteworthy, if not altogether surprising, that some of these new foundations are being established by Traditional  Latin Mass communities.

The article does not make for especially optimistic reading given the age of so many monks and nuns, but nevertheless does record some signs of hope. It is perhaps a parable for Lent, and something we should pray about.

The article can be read at After 900 years, monks of iconic French La Trappe Abbey consider leaving historic monastery

   

My only real experience of contemporary French monasticism was when I stayed at Bec in 2004. This sizeable community is relatively new, established somewhat surprisingly at the behest of the French state which still  owns the handsome seventeenth and eighteenth century claustral buildings and the late-medieval detached bell tower - the earlier medieval church was blown up in the years after the very regrettable events of 1789. The secular republic offered it to monks from another community who established a very successful abbey. At the time I visited it had a lot of young men who gave the impression of stability and seriousness. I hope that continues to be the case.

The Restoration of the South Tower at Wentworth Woodhouse

 I have posted several times about the ongoing program of conservation and restoration at Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire. This is a huge task given the size of the house, and also the condition into which much of it has fallen. It is also very inspiring, to see the rescue of a building of such importance that came perilously close to being lost forever, and also, that it engages craftsman and craftswomen in restoring a building, using the techniques, with which it was built.

One of the current projects Is the restoration of the Siuth Tower of the East Front - famous for being the longest frontage of any house in the country.

The project is partially funded by the Landmark Trust, And upon completion, it will be possible to book via the Truat to stay in what once the self-contained drawing room of the second Marchioness of Rockingham. 

The Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust

has a video about the history of the Tower, which can be seen at The Story of the South Tower at Wentworth Woodhouse

BBC News also has a report about the project which can be seen at Tower is new focus of historic Wentworth Woodhouse restoration

There is another feature about the plans which can be seen at Layers of history peeled back to reveal past of hidden gem