Information for record number MWA458:
Findspot - Roman statue, Alcester.

Summary Findspot - a Roman statue, possibly of the god Mars, was found. The exact location of the Findspot is unknown but it probably came from Alcester.
What Is It?  
Type: Findspot
Period: Romano-British (43 AD - 409 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Alcester
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 09 57
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

1 A curious monument is built up in a wall adjoining the rectory, W of the church. This is a much mutilated torso, 1.06m long by 0.5m broad, with face flaked off and legs lost. It appears to have represented a male bearded figure, dressed in a sort of tunic or chiton; the left leg is advanced, the left arm drawn back, and drapery depends from the left shoulder. The whole is too ill-preserved for safe interpretation, but it may be accepted as Roman. Its origin is unknown, but it was doubtlessly found somewhere in Alcester.
2 Removed for protection and placed for security in the Grammar School. The back part of the figure now exposed shows the folds of the garment much more clearly.
3 Photograph.
4 On display in the Market Hall Museum. Thought to be a statue of Mars.
5 Mentioned in Seaby's 1954 list of finds from Alcester. It is reported to be a 3/4 length Roman effigy much mutilated, 42 inches long and 20 inches broad. Some authorities believe this stone to be a representation of a Roman centurion, according to a lecture from A.J. Gwinnett.
 
Sources
Source No: 5
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Alcester Notes
Author/originator: W A Seaby
Date: 1954
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 1, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Doubleday H A & Page W (eds)
Date: 1904
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 1
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Photograph
Title: TBAS vol 50
Author/originator:
Date: 1924
Page Number: Plate 26
Volume/Sheet: 50
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Serial
Title: TBAS vol 50
Author/originator:
Date: 1924
Page Number: 64
Volume/Sheet: 50
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Roman statue from Alcester
Author/originator: Maclagan H M
Date: 1996
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
A Roman stone statue from Alcester
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source TBAS Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society is a journal produced by the society annually. It contains articles about archaeological field work that has taken place in Birmingham and Warwickshire in previous years. Copies of the journal are kept by the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
period Roman About 43 AD to 409 AD (the 1st century AD to the 5th century AD)

The Roman period comes after the Iron Age and before the Saxon period.

The Roman period in Britain began in 43 AD when a Roman commander called Aulus Plautius invaded the south coast, near Kent. There were a series of skirmishes with the native Britons, who were defeated. In the months that followed, more Roman troops arrived and slowly moved westwards and northwards.
more -> 		back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument GRAMMAR SCHOOL * A school founded in or before the 16th century, for teaching Latin, later becoming a secondary school teaching languages, history, science, etc. back
monument FINDSPOT * The approximate location at which stray finds of artefacts were found. Index with object name. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument MUSEUM * A building, group of buildings or space within a building, where objects of value such as works of art, antiquities, scientific specimens, or other artefacts are housed and displayed. back
monument EFFIGY * A sculptured likeness, portrait or image, often found on a tomb or other memorial. back
monument MARKET HALL * A purpose built covered market hall, usually 19th century, although earlier examples do exist, eg. that at Abingdon, Oxfordshire c.1680. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
monument STATUE * A representation in the round of a living being, allegorical personage, eminent person or animal, etc, sculptured, moulded or cast in marble, metal, plaster, etc. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record