Roman Stone Mortar

Description

Everyday life in Pontes, Roman Staines - a stone mortar fabricated from Purbeck burr stone (broken shell limestone). Similar mortars are found at Silchester and Londinium. This may well have been used for food preparation, but may also have been used for grinding pigments for wall painting or enamel for jewellery. This item was found at the Barclays bank site in 1969. It was recovered by workmen as part of their normal operations, so the context of this find is unclear. The item was reconstructed, probably by the lead archaeologist Maureen Rendell. The mortar dimensions (mm) are: Extreme diameter at rim over lugs 178, Outer diameter at rim apart from lugs 150, Inner diameter at rim 118, Outer diameter of base 150, Inner diameter of base 95, Outer height rim to base 45-48, Maximum depth rim to inner base 38, Inner depth rim to wall junction 32, Breadth of lug 25 and 30, Height of lug 16 and 12. This mortar is currently on display at Spelthorne Museum.