Roman tombstone mysteries revealed
A warrior's internationally-important tombstone is being restored in Preston's new St Mary's Conservation Centre.
The mysterious cavalry officer serving in the Roman army probably had good connections and was buried close to the A6 in Lancaster about 70 years after Jesus was crucified.
He was German, in charge of the wine and beer supplies and was probably in Lancashire to brutally suppress an uprising or two.
The restoration has given something of a new lease of life for its owner, Insus Vodullus.
The 6ft-long stone, which features the carving of a barbarian's severed head, could have been a present from his loving wife, believed to be called Domitia.
The stone was laid next to the road and was probably forgotten about until 2005 when it was found in Aldcliffe Road, Lancaster. It is due to return to the city's museum next summer.
Dr Stephen Bull, curator of military history and archaeology at the Museum of Lancashire, said: "We believe this guy was not a citizen of Rome.
This stone offers us a crucial insight into the history of Lancashire."
Insus was probably in his 30s when he died under mysterious circumstances.
When the stone was recovered, Lancaster property developer Chris Tudor-Whelan said he was considering selling it.
Lancashire Museum Service bid to buy the stone and a heritage lottery fund grant is now paying for the restoration.
Heather Davis, of the Museum of Lancashire, cleans the tombstone
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The tombstone is being restored at St Mary's Conservation Centre
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prestontoday.net
A warrior's internationally-important tombstone is being restored in Preston's new St Mary's Conservation Centre.
The mysterious cavalry officer serving in the Roman army probably had good connections and was buried close to the A6 in Lancaster about 70 years after Jesus was crucified.
He was German, in charge of the wine and beer supplies and was probably in Lancashire to brutally suppress an uprising or two.
The restoration has given something of a new lease of life for its owner, Insus Vodullus.
The 6ft-long stone, which features the carving of a barbarian's severed head, could have been a present from his loving wife, believed to be called Domitia.
The stone was laid next to the road and was probably forgotten about until 2005 when it was found in Aldcliffe Road, Lancaster. It is due to return to the city's museum next summer.
Dr Stephen Bull, curator of military history and archaeology at the Museum of Lancashire, said: "We believe this guy was not a citizen of Rome.
This stone offers us a crucial insight into the history of Lancashire."
Insus was probably in his 30s when he died under mysterious circumstances.
When the stone was recovered, Lancaster property developer Chris Tudor-Whelan said he was considering selling it.
Lancashire Museum Service bid to buy the stone and a heritage lottery fund grant is now paying for the restoration.
Heather Davis, of the Museum of Lancashire, cleans the tombstone
---------------------------
The tombstone is being restored at St Mary's Conservation Centre
--------------------------
prestontoday.net
