Ancient tombstone home to rest (From Lancaster And Morecambe Citizen)

Ancient tombstone home to rest

12:26pm Monday 13th October 2008 in News By Rachel Ryan

AN iconic Roman cavalry tombstone will be returned to its Lancaster home - where it had lain for 2,000 prior before it was dug up.

The impressive tombstone, dating back to 100 AD, was discovered in Lancaster in November 2005 during an excavation in Aldcliffe Road by the Greater Manchester Archaeology Unit.

And on Wednesday it will be officially unveiled in Market Square in the city in a celebration which will be marked by local officials.

Described by a number of scholars as 'unique' and of 'significant archaeological importance', the massive stone - almost six feet in height and approximately 1500lbs in weight - depicts a quarter master or junior officer of the ala Augusta riding with the severed head of a barbarian enemy in his hand. Stephen Bull, curator of Military History and Archaeology for Lancashire Museums, says: “This stone provides a crucial insight into the history of the county, and an iconic piece of Lancaster's dramatic past."

The stone will be unveiled at 11am.