roman writing on stone
Jade Small
Jade Small
February 4, 2025 ·  9 min read

Incredible 1,900-Year-Old Roman Slab Unearthed in English Garden

History has a way of revealing itself in the most unexpected places. An ancient Roman artifact, dating back nearly two millennia, was recently discovered in an English garden—hidden in plain sight. This remarkable relic, a stone slab from the second century A.D., had been unknowingly used as a mere stepping stone for years. The discovery underscores the far-reaching influence of the Roman Empire and serves as a reminder that history often lies beneath our feet, waiting to be uncovered. This article explores the story of this incredible find, the significance of its inscriptions, the possible journey it took to England, and the broader historical context of Roman artifacts in Britain.

Discovery in a Quiet English Garden

Stone slab
Source: All That’s Interesting

In the village of Whiteparish, located in southern England, an unsuspecting homeowner had been utilizing a historical treasure in the most ordinary way—stepping on it every day without a second thought. Initially unearthed around 20 years ago, the artifact was first repurposed as a mounting block for her horse. Later, it found its way into her garden, where it remained unnoticed. The stone, covered in dirt and weathered by time, revealed its secrets only when the homeowner decided to reorganize her garden and noticed intricate carvings.

The carvings featured a laurel wreath

greenery
Source: All That’s Interesting

A well-known Roman motif associated with victory, honor, and accomplishment. Suspicious that her stepping stone was more than just an ordinary rock, the woman contacted a local archaeologist to examine it. What followed was an astonishing revelation. Upon inspection, experts determined that the slab was an authentic Roman artifact from the second century A.D. Measuring approximately 25 inches in length, its design suggested that it originated not from England but from regions under Roman rule, such as Greece or Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). By 100 A.D., the Roman Empire stretched from Britain to Egypt, encompassing vast territories that influenced art, architecture, and culture.

Deciphering the Inscription: A Message from the Past

Stone slab
Source: All Thats Interesting

One of the most intriguing aspects of this artifact is its Latin inscription. At first, due to the stone’s wear, the writing was difficult to decipher. However, through careful analysis, archaeologists were able to read the following text: “The people [and] the Young Men [honor] Demetrios [son] of Metrodoros [the son] of Leukios.” Each of these names has a significant linguistic and historical background:

  • Demetrios: A common Greek name derived from “Demeter,” the goddess of agriculture and harvest.
  • Metrodoros: A Greek name meaning “mother’s gift,” suggesting a noble or honored lineage.
  • Leukios: Derived from the Greek word “leukos,” meaning “white,” “pure,” or “brilliant.”

The full meaning of the inscription remains unclear, but it is likely that the slab was a commemorative or honorific stone, possibly used in a public space, temple, or a burial site to recognize an individual of importance.

How Did the Slab Arrive in England? The Grand Tour Theory

waterways and people
Source: RMG

One of the most puzzling questions surrounding this artifact is how it made its way from the Roman world to a quiet village in England. The leading theory suggests that it arrived in Britain around 300 years ago during the era of the Grand Tour.

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the Grand Tour was a popular tradition among wealthy European aristocrats, particularly young men from Britain. These elite travelers embarked on educational journeys across Europe, exploring ancient ruins and classical art in countries like Italy, Greece, and Turkey. During these journeys, affluent tourists would collect relics, sculptures, and other artifacts as souvenirs of their travels. Roman and Greek artifacts were especially popular, as they symbolized prestige, intellect, and sophistication.

So, How did it get there?

Painting
Source: Traveller

It is believed that the Roman slab in Whiteparish was likely brought to England by an aristocrat who acquired it during a visit to the Mediterranean. These collectors often displayed their treasures in their estates, turning their homes into mini-museums. Over time, as estates were demolished or repurposed, artifacts like this one could have been discarded, forgotten, or reused in unsuspecting ways—such as garden stepping stones.

Woolley & Wallis, the auction house now handling the slab’s sale, suspects that it may have originated from one of the now-demolished country estates in the region, such as Cowesfield House or Broxmore House. Both estates were taken over by the British Army during World War II and later destroyed. Rubble from the sites may have been repurposed for construction, leading to the artifact’s unlikely discovery in a garden decades later.

The Role of Roman Artifacts in Britain

Cefalù, Italy. December, 28, 2024. The Mandralisca Museum in Cefalù, Sicily, houses a fascinating collection of archaeological finds, including Greek pottery, Roman artifacts, and medieval relics.
Source: Shutterstock

Britain was a significant part of the Roman Empire from 43 A.D. to 410 A.D., a period that left a lasting impact on the country. Numerous Roman relics, from coins to entire villas, have been discovered across the UK, offering glimpses into life under Roman rule.

The Hoxne Hoard: A Treasure of Late Roman Britain

A treasure of Roman gold and silver coins.Trajan Decius. AD 249-251. AV Aureus.Ancient coin of the Roman Empire.Authentic silver denarius, antoninianus,aureus of ancient Rome.Antikvariat.
Source: Shutterstock

Discovered in 1992 in Suffolk, the Hoxne Hoard is the largest known collection of late Roman gold and silver found in Britain. It consists of 14,865 coins and 200 pieces of fine jewelry and tableware, offering an extraordinary glimpse into the economic and social life of late Roman Britain. The hoard, buried in the early 5th century A.D., includes gold necklaces, body chains, and silver spoons engraved with patterns. The presence of such valuable items suggests that the owner was a wealthy individual—possibly a Roman elite—who hid their fortune during a time of political and military upheaval.

This period marked the decline of Roman control in Britain, as imperial forces withdrew and local rulers faced increasing threats from Saxon invaders. The careful burial of the hoard, placed in a wooden chest, indicates that its owner may have intended to retrieve it but was unable to return. Today, this astonishing discovery is housed in the British Museum.

The Shapwick Hoard: A Hidden Fortune of Roman Coins

A treasure of Roman gold and silver coins.Trajan Decius. AD 249-251. AV Aureus.Ancient coin of the Roman Empire.Authentic silver denarius, antoninianus,aureus of ancient Rome.Antikvariat.
Source: Shutterstock

Unearthed in 1998 in Somerset, the Shapwick Hoard consists of 9,262 Roman coins spanning from 31 B.C. to 224 A.D. The coins were buried in a ceramic pot, likely during a time of unrest or invasion, and were found by metal detectorists in a field in the village of Shapwick. This hoard provides crucial insights into Roman Britain’s economic structure, trade networks, and the monetary system over a period of nearly 250 years. Some of the coins depict Roman emperors such as Augustus, Hadrian, and Severus Alexander, revealing how political changes in Rome influenced provincial territories like Britain. The fact that the coins were buried suggests that the owner, possibly a merchant or landowner, may have been attempting to safeguard their wealth during uncertain times.

Given that Roman Britain was frequently subjected to raids and internal conflicts, it is likely that the owner never returned to reclaim their hidden fortune. The discovery is now studied by archaeologists to understand how Roman currency circulated throughout Britain, linking it to trade with the rest of the empire.

The Vindolanda Tablets: Voices from Hadrian’s Wall

scripture

The Vindolanda Tablets, discovered at the Vindolanda Roman Fort in Northumberland, are some of the most remarkable written records from Roman Britain. These thin wooden tablets, preserved in the oxygen-free soil near Hadrian’s Wall, contain handwritten messages from Roman soldiers stationed at the fort. Since their initial discovery in 1973, more than 1,600 tablets have been unearthed, offering an intimate look into life at a Roman military outpost between 85 A.D. and 130 A.D.

The texts include personal letters, official reports, and supply lists, providing unique details about everyday life. Some of the most famous letters include an invitation to a birthday party from one officer’s wife to another and complaints from soldiers about cold weather and shortages of beer. The Vindolanda Tablets are considered one of the most significant Roman discoveries in Britain, as they provide first-hand documentation of the people who lived and worked in the region nearly 2,000 years ago. They are now preserved at the British Museum and the Vindolanda Museum, continuing to shed light on the daily lives of Roman soldiers on the empire’s northern frontier.

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The Roman Baths: The Legacy of Aquae Sulis

courtyard

The Roman Baths, located in the city of Bath, England, are one of the most famous and well-preserved Roman sites in Britain. Built around 70 A.D., the baths were part of the Roman settlement of Aquae Sulis, named after the Celtic goddess Sulis, who was associated with healing and thermal springs. The site features a large Great Bath, heated pools, and a complex system of underground heating channels, showcasing the advanced engineering and architectural skills of the Romans.

The baths were not only a place for bathing and relaxation but also a social and religious center where Romans came to worship, seek healing, and conduct business. The water in the baths still flows from the natural hot spring, which has a temperature of around 46°C (115°F) and was believed to have medicinal properties. Over time, the site fell into disuse after the fall of the Roman Empire, but excavations in the 19th and 20th centuries uncovered its historical significance. Today, the Roman Baths remain one of the most visited historical sites in the UK, drawing tourists who marvel at the ingenuity of Roman engineering and the rich cultural heritage left behind.

The London Mithraeum: A Roman Temple in the Heart of London

The London Mithraeum
Source: Wikimedia

Discovered in 1954 beneath the streets of London, the London Mithraeum is a Roman temple dedicated to Mithras, a deity associated with mystery cults, war, and the cosmos. Mithraism was a secretive religion popular among Roman soldiers and merchants, featuring rituals and ceremonies held in underground temples. The London Mithraeum dates back to the 3rd century A.D. and was originally located near the River Walbrook, a tributary of the Thames. The temple was buried and forgotten for centuries until post-war construction work revealed its remains. Inside the temple, archaeologists uncovered a series of sculptures, altars, and inscriptions, including a remarkable statue of Mithras slaying a bull, a central symbol of the cult. The discovery of this temple highlights the diversity of religious practices in Roman Britain and suggests that London, then known as Londinium, was home to a significant community of merchants and soldiers who worshiped Mithras.

These incredible discoveries continue to reshape our understanding of Roman Britain, revealing new details about its economy, military life, religious practices, and daily routines. The vast Roman presence in Britain, from Hadrian’s Wall to the sophisticated baths of Aquae Sulis, demonstrates how deeply embedded the empire was in shaping the history of the British Isles.

The Auction and the Slab’s Future

The auction

Recognizing its historical importance, the Roman slab is now set to be auctioned by Woolley & Wallis. Experts estimate that it could sell for at least £15,000 (approximately $20,000). Will Hobbs, an antiquities specialist at Woolley & Wallis, expressed curiosity about its journey, saying: “Artifacts of this type often came into England as the result of Grand Tours in the late 18th and 19th century. But what is a complete mystery is how it ended up in a domestic garden, and that’s where we’d like the public’s help.” The auction house hopes that someone with knowledge of its more recent history may come forward to shed light on how the slab ended up in Whiteparish.

Conclusion: A Window Into the Past

slab stone and greenery sorroundings

The discovery of the Roman slab in Whiteparish is a remarkable example of how history continues to resurface in the most unexpected ways. Whether through deliberate excavation or accidental discovery, artifacts like this serve as tangible links to our past, allowing us to piece together the stories of civilizations long gone. This find also highlights the broader legacy of Roman Britain, where countless relics still lie hidden, waiting to be uncovered. As more discoveries emerge, they continue to enrich our understanding of history, connecting us to a world that existed nearly two thousand years ago. Perhaps, the next great historical find is resting beneath another garden stepping stone—just waiting to be noticed.

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