Musselburgh was first settled by the Romans in the years following their invasion of Scotland in AD80. They built a fort a little inland from the mouth of the River Esk and bridged the river here. In doing so they established the line of the main eastern approach to Scotland’s capital for most of the next two thousand years.

With the opening of the museum in March 2011 it was decided that the first major exhibition to be held would be to celebrate the historical connection with the Romans. With the assistance of the National Museum of Scotland we are proud to hold the exhibition of artifacts found in and around Musselburgh which have never been on display previously.

The year 2011 was an exceptional year for archeologists and historians! Due to the construction work to be carried out in Lewisvale park, and for the new superstore and health centre close to the banks of the River Esk archeological surveys were carried out to ensure any historic evidence present was identified and recorded. This resulted in some very exciting finds.

The Sol Altar stone

In Lewisvale Park prior to the construction of a new cricket pavilion, two altar stones were discovered. One, to the God SOL (left) shows the image of Sol with the “rays”, eyes, and mouth pierced through to the back of the stone. The back of the stone is hollowed out. A lamp would have been placed in this hollow, the light of which would have shone through the piercings.

Above the image of Sol are images of the four seasons.

Unfortunately due to the construction of the stone it has

The Mithra Altar Stone © R S O Tomlin/AOC Archaeology Group

cracked across the face.

The second Altar stone is dedicated to the God Mithra (right)

Initial examination of these stones indicate that the stone was quarried in the area around Gifford, East Lothian. Both the altar stones are currently under going conservation and preservation before they can go on display.

Skeleton

In the area where the new health centre is currently being constructed, several skeletons were unearthed. The bodies, dated to the period of occupation by the Romans, were decapitated and the head placed between the legs.