Objects from the Spring

Many objects were thrown into the Sacred Spring as offerings to the goddess, including more than 12,000 Roman coins which is the largest votive deposit known from Britain.

 

Some very special objects are the curses, with messages inscribed on sheets of lead or pewter, which were then rolled up and thrown into the Spring where the spirit of the goddess dwelt.

 

Special metal pans, known as paterae, might have been used for making offerings of holy water.  They are inscribed with the letters DSM or the words Deae Sulis Minerva which shows that they were dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva.

Image: a pile of Roman coins excavated from the Sacred Spring

Roman coins excavated from the Spring