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Inveresk, Musselburgh

Bath House (Roman), Vicus (Roman)

Site Name Inveresk, Musselburgh

Classification Bath House (Roman), Vicus (Roman)

Alternative Name(s) Inveresk Gate

Canmore ID 53776

Site Number NT37SW 13

NGR NT 3464 7211

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/53776

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council East Lothian
  • Parish Inveresk (East Lothian)
  • Former Region Lothian
  • Former District East Lothian
  • Former County Midlothian

Archaeology Notes

NT37SW 13 3464 7211.

(NT 3464 7210) BATH HOUSE (R)

OS 1:2500 map (1950)

A small stretch of walling, furnace foundations and a small portion of a hypocaust are visible in the garden of Inveresk House, probably part of the remains discovered c.1783. They occupy an area measuring 19' x 15 1/2', and the reconstructed hypocaust pillars support rough concrete flooring of the heated compartment. The wall foundations are only two courses high. A Roman altar is marked on the OS 1:500 here, and is possibly that inscribed APOLLONI GRANNO Q L SABINIANUS PROC. AUG. found at Inveresk in 1565 in association with a hypocaust.

When visited in 1953 (by OS (JFC) 8 December 1953) the bath house was in the condition described above.

Excavations in 1967 revealed a 6' length of walling 3' wide, on the S side of the building. A large number of tiles and a stone with a cramp hole were also found. In 1968 Antonine material comprising coarse potsherds and Samian ware were discovered during building operations at Musselburgh Grammar School, and retained by the school.

RCAHMS 1929, visited 1928; I G Brown 1967; RCAHMS 1968

Activities

Standing Building Recording (25 April 1946)

An undated plan of the remains of the Roman bath house at Inveresk was made by Charles S.T. Calder and published in an article by I.A. Richmond (1981).

Information from RCAHMS (PMcK) 27 May 2015.

This plan was developed from a sketch survey by CST Calder made on 25 April 1946 and held in his notebook MS 36/76.

Information from HES Survey and Recording (GFG) 2 February 2016.

Field Visit (15 August 1975)

As described.

Visited by OS (BS) 15 August 1975

Reference (1981)

The remains of the bath house were first discovered in 1783. When discovered the building was estimated to cover an area of some 60 ft E-W by 23 ft N-S, with a furnace at the E end. The distinctive features observed

were a large heated room, over 15 ft square, served by the furnace, and a cold bath, 10 ft by 4 ft 6 in in size.

Source: IA Richmond 1981

Field Visit

When visited in 1953 (by OS (JFC) 8 December 1953) the bath house was in the condition described above.

Visited by OS (JFC) 8 December 1953

References

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