1st-Century Roman Column Discovered In York

This ancient Roman column, unearthed beneath York Minister in 1969, was built around the first century.

The ancient structure was built by the soldiers of the Legio IX Hispana and then later reused by Legion VI in the fourth century.

The 9.5 metre-tall column was one of 16 that once supported the roof of the headquarters of the fort of Eboracum, which stood where York Minster now stands.

The column plaque says: "This Roman column once stood within the hall of the headquarters building of the fortress of the Sixth Legion whose emblem was a bull in the Fourth Century AD.

”It was found in 1969 during the excavation of the south transept of the minster, lying where it had collapsed."

In 1971, it was erected next to York Minster to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of York's founding by the Romans in AD 71.

The headquarters of Eboracum was one of the most important roman forts in northern England.

The basilica stretched 72 metres and was as high as the present Minster's nave.

It was very likely inside the basilica that Constantine was proclaimed Emperor of Rome in AD 306.

If you explore the Minster undercroft, you can see a second Roman column still in its original position, along with other finds from the basilica.

The structures are made of gritstone - and the style is Tuscan, an architectural order often used by the Romans for military architecture.

Today, it stands directly opposite the south front of York Minster, and it’s one of the city's oldest historical attractions.

On TripAdvisor, someone said: “The column is in a prime location near the wonderful Minster and the fascinating statue of Constantine sitting contemplativly.

”My imagination runs riot at the thought of the Roman occupation, seeing the column and touching it was a real treat.

”I am a total history buff I've, had some great holidays in Rome were this type of ruin is commonplace, the fact that it's here in the UK makes it more the better.”

Another person added: “This needs to be included if you are touring York City Centre as it is an historic example of the buildings in the Roman occupation.

”It stands opposite the Constantine Statue and convenient when visiting the Minster; the Church of St. Michael le Belfry; and the Treasurer's House.”

Just a short walk away is the Multangular Tower - the best example of standing Roman remains in York.

It is on the northern side of the gardens, between the Yorkshire Museum and St Leonard’s Hospital.

You can see the tower and fine stretches of the fortress wall from both sides, inside and out.

The tower stood at the west corner of the legionary fortress - and it was one of the two corner-towers of the huge stone wall that looked down onto the river. 

The original Roman parts of the tower probably date from the early third century. 

Archaeologists can tell that the stone walls replaced timber fortress structures: an immense undertaking. 

The Romans used several types of stone in their buildings including limestone, tough millstone grit and elland stone, now better known as York stone, which was used for floors and roofs as it splits naturally into flat slabs. 

But it was not so much the stone but the use of mortar to hold it together that was the real Roman revolution. This allowed for the creation of far larger buildings than ever seen before.

The fortress wall was built 5m (c.15 ft) high. At the west corner stood what we now know as the Multangular Tower, which may have been well over 10m (c.30 ft) high.

A matching tower stood at the fortress’s south corner, with six interval towers in between, projecting from the wall.

Eboracum - Roman York

Eboracum was an ancient fort and later a city in the Roman province of Britannia.

In its prime, it was the largest town in northern Britain and a provincial capital.

The site remained occupied after the decline of the Western Roman Empire and ultimately developed into the present-day city of York.

From its foundation, the Roman fort of Eboracum was aligned on a north-east/south-east bearing on the north bank of the River Ouse.

It measured 474 × 403 metres and covered an area of 50 acres.

The layout of the fortress also followed the standard for a legionary fortress, with wooden buildings inside a square defensive boundary.

These defences were built by the Ninth Legion between 71 and 74 AD.

Later, these were replaced by a clay mound with a turf front on a new oak foundation, and eventually, wooden battlements were added, which were then replaced by limestone walls and towers.

Multiple phases of restructuring and rebuilding within the fortress are recorded.

You can lear more about York’s Roman history with a guided tour through York Minister - one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals.

Since the 7th century, the Minster has been at the centre of Christianity in the north of England and today remains a thriving church rooted in the daily offering of worship and prayer.

Every aspect of this ancient building - from the exquisite, handcrafted stone through to the unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass - tells the story of Jesus Christ.

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