| Summary : The site of Conventinas Well near Carrawburgh Roman Fort on Hadrian's Wall. Excavation in 1876 revealed a spring encased in a rectangular basin, about 2.6 metres by 2.4 metres, which lay at the centre of a walled enclosure or temple, measuring 12.2 metres north/south by 11.6 metres transversely within a wall 0.9 metres thick. The contents of the well included at least 13,487 coins, from Mark Antony to Gratian, a relief of three water nymphs, the head of a male statue, two dedication slabs to the goddess Coventina, ten altars to Coventina and Minerva, two clay incense burners, and a wide range of votive objects. The spring still contains some stone blocks below summer water level. (perhaps dislodged pieces of the well-head). On the east edge of a bank immediately to the west is a short stretch of facing stones, 1.5 metres long, the only visible portion of the shrine's internal wall face. Limited investigations in 1984 located another fragment of the inner face of the enclosure on the south side. |
More information : NY 8576 7115. [Re-recorded from former OS card NY87SE10.2]Excavation in 1876 revealed a spring encased in a rectangular basin, about 2.6m by 2.4m, which lay at the centre of a walled enclosure or temple, measuring 12.2m N-S by 11.6m transversely within a wall 0.9m thick. The contents of the well included at least 13,487 coins, from Mark Antony to Gratian, a relief of three water nymphs, the head of a male statue, two dedication slabs to the goddess Coventina, ten altars, two clay incense burners, and a wide range of votive objects. (1)
The site was under water on each of several visits made over a number of weeks; it would appear to remain in this state throughout the year. (2)
RCHME Newcastle examined and surveyed the well as a part of the 1:1000 survey of Carrawburgh fort, and produced a full report.
Little can be seen of the site. The spring still contains some stone blocks below summer water level. (perhaps dislodged pieces of the well-head). On the E edge of a bank immediately to the W is a short stretch of facing stones, 1.5m long, the only visible portion of the shrine's internal wall face. Limited probing in 1984 located another fragment of the inner face of the enclosure on the S side. (3)
Discussion of Coventina's Well. (4)
Overall summary. (5)
Nos 1522-26, 1528-33, inscribed altars to the goddess Coventina; Nos 1527 and 1534, slabs dedicated to the goddess Coventina; No 1543, altar dedicated to Minerva. (6)
Scheduled (7)
Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (8) |