For those interested in the Roman Temple at Swindon, here is the
Assessment section from the site report:-
Phillips, Bernard (1997). An archaeological evaluation at Blunsdon Ridge,
Blunsdon St. Andrew, Wiltshire (SU 1408 8935), November/December 1997 / by
Bernard Phillips & Bryn Walters. [Unpublished report], pp.14-15.
**Assessment
"Initially, based on the remains noted and the geophysical survey results,
it was considered that the Blunsdon Ridge site was a Roman villa site of
some pretension. The archaeological evaluation, however, has shown a
number of factors which suggest an alternative interpretation.
"First, the number of coins recovered on the lower part of the site was
very high for the area excavated. This would suggest that a lot of
monetary transactions had taken place. Indeed the coin total is more like
that to be found on a town site. Furthermore there is also a high
proportion of samian-ware and glassware, some of which is of the finest
quality. The two hoards, one of coin and the other of silver, are again
exceptional for such a limited excavation, hinting at a richness in excess
of expectation. That the structural remains were lavish is shown by the
quality of the wall painting, the fine mosaic cubes and the carved stones.
"It is however the cistern in the area of the springs that provides the
main indication of the nature of the site. Possibly with a stone screen
at the rear, it is almost certainly a water shrine (nympheaeum) which
would have stood in a walled enclosure. From the screen's base, water
would have issued into the cistern within which a central pillar supported
a statuette of the deity. Water then flowed, via the grooved channels to
the soak away. This was covered, as was the area around the cistern, with
paving slabs bedded on the clay. A similar, but larger cistern exists at
Chedworth, Gloucester, and another, set within an oval walled enclosure,
was discovered at Fontaines Salee (Yonne). The sacred basin was 1.45
metres by 1.52 metres, and the enclosure 9.14 metres by 13.72 metres [I
think this refers to the Yonne site, not Blunsdon - KMJ]
"From the archaeological evaluation, combined with the geophysical survey
and earthwork survey, it is now possible to confirm that an extremely
large and very well preserved Romano-British complex covers the greater
part of the field designated for housing and landscape development.
Furthermore, in all probability, a remarkable, early second to late fourth
century spring line sanctuary, with attendant service buildings, courts,
gardens, ceremonial road and possible sacred groves, lies on this south
facing slope.
"The remains traced to date cover an area of land in excess of any other
known Roman religious complex in the Western Counties with the exception
of the great temenos at Bath. This establishes the site firmly as one of
the largest sanctuaries in Britain. Undoubtedly the location of the
perpetual multiple springs on the upper terrace was the reason for the
creation of the complex. Springhead shrines were popular in the Roman
world and some continental examples were patronised by the aristocracy and
achieved refined levels of architectural sophistication and decoration.
Large sanctuaries of this type can incorporate several shrines dedicated
to local native deities surrounding a major temple to one of the principle
Roman gods. This is almost certain to the case at Blunsdon Ridge.
"Below, on the wide terrace, the pool indicated by the continually boggy
ground and on the geophysical survey, lies in front of the suspected
principle shrine, from which rises a natural spring. Sacred pools in
front of water shrines are known on the continent and originate in the
early Roman period. The pool would serve several functions: as a
receptacle for the sacred waters descending from the main temple, and into
which pilgrims would cast votive offerings; water to irrigate temple
gardens and , finally, as a supply for the temple lustral baths where
pilgrims would cleanse themselves in the sacred water. Descending the
slope of the hill from the pool are narrow terraces which could be
logically identified as gardens stepping down to the courts and buildings
on the lower levels. It is in the lower area of the site that major
structural remains have been exposed which should be interested as the
buildings servicing the sanctuary. These would include a large range of
baths (Trench D), pries house, pilgrim accommodation and feasting room."
[The final paragraph just talks generally about the significance of water
sources in Roman religion.]
Forgive the length of this email, but I thought given the amount of
interest in the site, and the fact that the site report is not generally
available, that it was worth quoting the assessment at length.
Katy
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Katy Jordan Faculty Librarian, Engineering & Design
Library & Learning Centre Tel: +44-(0)-1225-826826 X5612
University of Bath Fax: +44-(0)-1225-826229
Bath. BA2 7AY Email: [log in to unmask]
United Kingdom http://www.bath.ac.uk/~liskmj/home.htm
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