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Monument details

HER Number:MKE116907
Type of record:Monument
Name:Roman Altar discovered near the Painted House

Summary

A Roman altar measuring 0.2m by 0.43m by 0.16m was found during excavations in 1976. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)


Grid Reference:TR 3180 4140
Map Sheet:TR34SW
Parish:DOVER, DOVER, KENT

Monument Types

  • ALTAR (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Full description

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TR 318414. A sandstone altar 0.2m by 0.43m by 0.16m found during excavations in 1976 near the 'Painted House'. The base is roughly dressed and will have been set into the ground. The top ofthe stone has been discoloured by heat, although the focus itself, on which the altar fire would have been lit, has broken away. The right side of the altar has also been broken away, carrying with it two to three letters. The text of which the first line is written on the abacus reads: ST CO[S] OL COR [SIVS] CANDID [MAT] IRIB ITALIC[IS] I ADEM [FE]CIT VS[LM]. The translation is 'Transport Officer of the Consular Governor, Olus Cardius Candidus, built "thius" shrine to the Mother Goddess of Italy, willingly and deservedly fulfilling his vow'. (1)

Details of the Roman inscription discovered by John Willson. (2)


<1> M W C Hassall and R S O Tomlin, 1977, Britannia (Article in serial). SKE55371.

<2> John Willson, 1977, Kent Archaeological Review: 'The Painted House' Underfloor Heating System. Vol. 47 (Article in serial). SKE31857.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
<1>Article in serial: M W C Hassall and R S O Tomlin. 1977. Britannia. pp 426.
<2>XYArticle in serial: John Willson. 1977. Kent Archaeological Review: 'The Painted House' Underfloor Heating System. Vol. 47. Vol. 47. pp. 165-169. [Mapped feature: #110815 altar, ]