Roman 'shrine' discovered in cathedral graveyard could be a sacrifice site linked to fertility and mystery cults, say archaeologists

The Roman altar stone found during archaeological excavations at Leicester Cathedral. University of Leicester Archaeological Services

• Archeologists in Britain discovered what they believe to be an ancient Roman shrine.
• The discovery was made beneath a graveyard on the grounds of a cathedral in Leicester, England.
• Leicester was originally the site of a Roman town named Ratae Corieltavorum.

Archeologists in Britain discovered what they believe to be an ancient Roman shrine or place of worship beneath a graveyard on the grounds of a cathedral.

During excavations over the last year, experts from the University of Leicester uncovered "evidence that the site of Leicester Cathedral has been used for worship and religious observance for nearly 1,800 years," according to a statement earlier this week. 

In the final stages of the project, archaeologists dug about 10 feet underground, reaching the "level of the Roman period," and discovered an altar stone in what appeared to be the basement of a large Roman building likely built in the 2nd century.

"What we're likely looking at here is a private place of worship, either a family shrine or a cult room where a small group of individuals shared in private worship," said Mathew Morris, excavation director for the University of Leicester's Archaeological Services. 

Archaeologists from the University of Leicester excavate a Roman cellar at Leicester Cathedral. University of Leicester Archaeological Services

Underground chambers like the one discovered have been "linked with fertility and mystery cults," he added, saying the it might have been to worship gods like Mithras, Cybele, Bacchus, Dionysius, and the Egyptian goddess Isis.

There has always been a "folk tale" for centuries that a Roman temple once stood where the Leicester Cathedral is now, the expert said. The discovery of the ancient place of worship now likely confirms this theory. 

According to the university, Leicester is one of the most excavated cities in Britain because it was originally the site of a Roman town named Ratae Corieltavorum. 

Archeologists made many other finds at the cathedral site, including ancient Roman coins and pottery.

"This excavation has produced a remarkable amount of archaeological evidence from a modestly sized area," said John Thomas, Deputy Director of the University of Leicester Archaeological Services. 

From the new information gleaned from the dig, experts hope to track the history of Leicester across multiple eras — from the Victorian period back to Medieval, Saxon, Roman, and even early Iron Age settlements.