CIMRM Supplement - Head of Mithras (?), lead. Nr. Barbruch, in Dumfries & Galloway, Britain
A small head of a deity wearing a Phrygian or Persian cap, possibly Mithras, was found by Sandy Robson, a metal detector enthusiast, in 2011, near the Roman fortlet of Barbruch in Dumfries and Galloway.1
Robson wrote to Roger Beck in 2013, asking if it was indeed Mithras:
... Firstly let me explain that I am a semi retired businessman from the Timber Frame house industry, not an archaeologist, but some years ago I took up metal detecting as a hobby, and work closely with Andrew Nicholson, our local Dumfries & Galloway Council Archaeologist. One of my areas of search with permission was a flood plain field beside the river Nith, ( the field across the A76 from Holmhead Cottage ) and just a few hundred yards south of the previously excavated ( 1972 ) Roman Fortlet of Barbruch, north of Auldgirth village, and it was there in 2011 that I found the object, and as you will know, this seems to be only the second known item relating to Mithras found in Scotland since the discovery of he temple remains at East Lothian in 2011.
It is currently with National Museum of Scotland, c/o Dr Fraser Hunter, who is currently going through a research process. and I am sure he along with myself would be delighted to have any input from you.
Beck replied:
... Whether or not this is Mithras would depend on whether it's the remains of a Persian/Phrygian cap on his head.
Robson adds:
The head is now in ownership of the Dumfries Museum , and hopefully on display.
| 1 | All details on this page including the photographs were kindly supplied by Sandy Robson - thank you. |
| Tweet |