Roman Stone Mortar

sketchfab

Everyday life in Pontes, Roman Staines - a stone mortar crafted from Purbeck burr stone (broken shell limestone) that likely played a significant role in the daily activities of ancient Romans. Similar mortars discovered at Silchester and Londinium suggest their use for grinding pigments to adorn walls or crafting enamel for exquisite jewelry. This artifact was unearthed in 1969 by workmen at the Barclays bank site as part of routine excavation efforts, leaving its context somewhat ambiguous. The expert hands of lead archaeologist Maureen Rendell probably reconstructed this ancient relic. The precise dimensions (in millimeters) reveal a mortar with distinct characteristics: an extreme diameter of 178mm at the rim over lugs, an outer diameter of 150mm at the rim apart from lugs, and an inner diameter of 118mm. The base measures 150mm in outer diameter and 95mm in inner diameter. Notably, the outer height from rim to base ranges between 45-48mm, while the maximum depth from rim to inner base reaches 38mm, and the inner depth from rim to wall junction is a mere 32mm. The lug breadth measures 25 and 30mm, with a height of 16 and 12mm respectively. Today, this significant artifact is proudly displayed at Spelthorne Museum for all to marvel at its historical significance and craftsmanship.