Find Spot record 1008 - Roman Altar from Helsby

An uninscribed Roman altar of red sandstone was found during the levelling of ground behind a new house (The Cottage) in Vicarage Lane in 1958. It is 28ins high x 17ins wide x 12ins deep. The face is defined by a double moulding & is blank, while on 1 side panel is a roughly carved jug & on the other a sacrificial knife & axe. There may originally have been a painted inscription on the face, but there is now no trace. The altar was presented to the Grosvenor Museum by the owner of the house (1). Find spot was at the foot of a narrow wooded hillock which extends NW into the garden of No 2 Vicarage Hill (2).

<1> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Anon 1959 46/79 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ47NE7/1959 (Index). SCH2487.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/233 Petch D F 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<4> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1911-Present, Journal of Roman Studies, 49/108 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1519.

<5> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, /no.370 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.