Benwell Fort (Condercum), Statue of Antenociticus
Benwell Fort (Condercum), Statue of Antenociticus
HER Number
5274
District
Newcastle
Site Name
Benwell Fort (Condercum), Statue of Antenociticus
Place
Benwell
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
Class
Monument <By Form>
Site Type: Broad
Findspot
Site Type: Specific
Statue
General Period
ROMAN
Specific Period
Roman 43 to 410
Form of Evidence
Find
Description
The statue remains (the head and fragments of the forearm and lower leg) were found in 1862 in the Temple of Antenociticus. The head had been broken off at the neck. The nose, mouth and chin were slightly damaged and chipped in many places. The head measures 0.32 metres high, 0.20 metres wide and 0.26 metres deep. The fragment of leg measures 0.27 metres long and 0.15 metres in diameter. The forearm measures 0.21 metres long and 0.09 metres in diameter. The statue is of a young man with a thick crop of coarse hair combed forward. There was a torque around the neck. Possibly a life-size cult statue which would have stood in a niche or against a wall in the temple. The head is classical in style but the hairstyle, diamond shaped eyes and torque are Celtic. Museum of Antiquites No. 1924.6-8
Easting
421710
Northing
564670
Grid Reference
NZ421710564670
Sources
<< HER 5274 >> S. Johnson, 1989, Hadrian's Wall, p 90;
Archaeologia Aeliana, 1865, 2, VI, p153;
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1927, 4, iii, 1927-8, p124-6;
Northumberland County History, 1930, XIII, 552 nos 4-6;
Kendrick, 1938, Anglo Saxon Art to AD 900, p 20-1;
A. Ross, 1960, PSAS, XLI, 1957-8, p18-19, no xviii;
Archaeologia Aeliana, 1961 4, XXXIX, p80-1;
A. Ross, 1967, Pagan Celtic Britain, p 83, 163-4;
J.M.C. Toynbee, 1963, Art in Roman Britain, p 146 no 41;
J.M.C. Toynbee, 1964, Art in Britain under the Romans, p 106-7; D.J. Smith, 1974, Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne - An Illustrated Introduction, 23
Archaeologia Aeliana, 1865, 2, VI, p153;
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1927, 4, iii, 1927-8, p124-6;
Northumberland County History, 1930, XIII, 552 nos 4-6;
Kendrick, 1938, Anglo Saxon Art to AD 900, p 20-1;
A. Ross, 1960, PSAS, XLI, 1957-8, p18-19, no xviii;
Archaeologia Aeliana, 1961 4, XXXIX, p80-1;
A. Ross, 1967, Pagan Celtic Britain, p 83, 163-4;
J.M.C. Toynbee, 1963, Art in Roman Britain, p 146 no 41;
J.M.C. Toynbee, 1964, Art in Britain under the Romans, p 106-7; D.J. Smith, 1974, Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne - An Illustrated Introduction, 23