Roman Column Under The Minster Foundations To Deangate - York, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 57.699 W 001° 04.904
30U E 625849 N 5980958
This 9.5 metre high Roman column was found on its side in the foundations of York Minster in 1969 and moved about 100 feet in 1971.
Waymark Code: WME73V
Location: Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/12/2012
Views: 9
As the date of York’s 1900th anniversary approached archaeological excavations were undertaken underneath York Minster tower.
This column was found laying on its side, in pieces and originally formed part of the basilica of a Roman fortress. There were originally 16 columns in the building and it is believed that it would have been where Constantine was declared Emperor of Rome in AD 306.
The column was found in 1969 and in 1971 the Dean of York Minster donated it York Civic Trust who had it moved to its current location. They also placed a plaque on the column explaining its history.
It is a cylindrical column made from grit stone and stands on a square plinth. The moulded base is complete, but there has been some damage to the capital.
In 1983 the column became an English Heritage Grade II listed building. (
visit link)
This website about Roman York has a picture of the column as it lay under the minster. (
visit link)
The quotation on the plaque reads
THIS ROMAN COLUMN ONCE STOOD WITHIN THE GREAT HALL OF THE HEADQUARTERS
BUILDING OF THE FORTRESS OF THE SIXTH LEGION (WHOSE EMBLEM WAS A BULL) IN THE
FOURTH CENTURY A.D. IT WAS FOUND IN 1969 DURING THE EXCAVATION OF THE SOUTH
TRANSEPT OF THE MINSTER, LYING WHERE IT HAD COLLAPSED.
IT WAS GIVEN BY THE DEAN AND CHAPTER TO THE YORK CIVIC TRUST WHO IN 1971
ERECTED IT ON THIS SITE TO MARK THE 1900TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF
THE CITY BY THE ROMANS IN A.D. 71.