Wallsend vicus, Roman sculpture fragment
Wallsend vicus, Roman sculpture fragment
HER Number
828
District
Newcastle
Site Name
Wallsend vicus, Roman sculpture fragment
Place
Wallsend
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
Class
Monument <By Form>
Site Type: Broad
Findspot
Site Type: Specific
Sculpture
General Period
ROMAN
Specific Period
Roman 43 to 410
Form of Evidence
Find
Description
A shield with Gorgoneion from a statue of Minerva was found with HER no. 819 in 1892 on the Philiphaugh allotments west of the fort at Wallsend. It is carved in relief in local buff sandstone. The gorgoneion in the shield centre is circular with flat stylized features. On the left of the chin is part of a snake or ribbon. The style of carving is Celtic. The statue of Minerva possibly stood on the parade ground of the fort since it was found with an official dedication to Jupiter Optimus Maximus. An image of a martial goddess would be appropriate in such a context.
Easting
429580
Northing
565710
Grid Reference
NZ429580565710
Sources
<< HER 828 >> R. Blair, 1893, 2, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, V (for 1891-2), 165-6
G.R.B. Spain, ed. 1930, Inscribed and Sculptured Stones, Wallsend, Northumberland County History, XIII, 543 no. 15
T. Kendrick, 1938, Anglo-Saxon Art to A.D. 900, p. 19 and pl. 7
A. Ross, 1960, The Human Head in Insular Pagan Celtic Religion, PSAS, XCI, 27-8
E.J. Phillips, 1977, Great Britain, Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani, Vol. I Fasc I no. 208
P.T. Bidwell, N. Holbrook & M.E. Snape, 1991, The Roman Fort at Wallsend and its Environs, p. 5 no. 21
G.R.B. Spain, ed. 1930, Inscribed and Sculptured Stones, Wallsend, Northumberland County History, XIII, 543 no. 15
T. Kendrick, 1938, Anglo-Saxon Art to A.D. 900, p. 19 and pl. 7
A. Ross, 1960, The Human Head in Insular Pagan Celtic Religion, PSAS, XCI, 27-8
E.J. Phillips, 1977, Great Britain, Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani, Vol. I Fasc I no. 208
P.T. Bidwell, N. Holbrook & M.E. Snape, 1991, The Roman Fort at Wallsend and its Environs, p. 5 no. 21