Monument record 1641/15 - Possible Roman Cemetery, Irchester Roman Town

In the mid-19th century a broken inscribed grave-slab to Anicius Saturninus, strator to the governor, was found face-down over a stone-lined grave in the south-east part of the town, just south of the east gate. Further inhumations were reported in 1926 in the east side of the town, although some of the material may have been from outside the ramparts

{1}Roman tombstone found lying face-down over rough cist or sepulchre containing bones & broken urns; initially interpreted as disturbed grave; VCH thinks this unlikely & believes stone originated from cemetery outside town walls; plain slab with sunken panel; 42ins long x 20ins high; inscription indicates that stone is memorial to Anicius Saturninus who was keeper of horses or "strator" to governor

{2}Town was clearly important & prosperous; on evidence of inscribed slab may also have been centre of imperial region for horse-breeding; slab found in south-east part of town; broken slab was found face-down over rough cist or stone-lined grave which contained bones & broken 'urns'; slab is from monumental tomb; measures 110cm x 50cm & has inscribed sunken panel; interpreted as "....Sacred to departed spirits: Anicius Saturninus strator to governor made this monument to himself...."; would have been in charge of governor's horses & could be sent out to try new mounts; his death here might suggest presence of stud farms in area; illustration

{3}Suggests that horse-breeding had been established

{9}Inscribed stone from monumental tomb; ploughed up "....15 years ago....";

{10} Burials and settlement remains were found; some of this material probably came from outside the ramparts of the town.

{11} "….many skeletons and numerous small objects….".

{12} Drawing of Roman tombstone, see item {1}

<1> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.182 (checked) (Series). SNN100368.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.91+94 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<3> COLLINGWOOD R.G.; WRIGHT R.P., 1965, Roman Inscriptions of Britain, 75-6 (Uncertain). SNN44072.

<4> Roach Smith C., 1854, Collectanea Antiqua, 251 (Series). SNN58283.

<5> Roach Smith C., 1857, Collectanea Antiqua, PLATE 14 (Series). SNN58284.

<6> C.I.L., 78 (Uncertain). SNN58285.

<7> EPHEMERIS, 406-9 (Uncertain). SNN55294.

<8> British Museum Accession Register, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN10055.

<9> 1875, Associated Architectural Societies Reports, p.117 (checked) (Series). SNN44074.

<10> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.95 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<11> 1926, The Journal of Roman Studies (16), p.223 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN59497.

<12> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/159/19 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Feb 28 2024 11:52AM