The saving of the temple
The foundations of a Romano-British temple, considered ‘of national importance’ were uncovered during the 18-month excavation of a large site in Newington. The excavation revealed surprisingly well-preserved remains of a small Roman industrial town with iron furnaces, pottery kilns and the foundations of the 2000 year old temple.
The story of the reconstruction starts with a chance conversation between two members of NHG and Peter Cichy from SWAT Archaeology as the excavation was coming to an end. Peter warned that, in the next couple of days, the foundations of the temple were to be covered again forever.
We asked, ‘Is there any way the history group could save them?’
Within hours, we had won the support of Newington History Group committee and Newington Parish Council. Persimmon Homes gave permission for the flints to be removed and Peter became the driving force of the project.
Then came delays caused by the dark days of COVID, brightened by news that Persimmon Homes were generously allocating a piece of land for the reconstruction.
Peter’s thoughtful expertise and involvement means that the reconstruction is now only 70 metres from the location of the original temple. It’s the same size. It has the same orientation as the original. The footpath beside it reflects the alignment of the original road to the temple.
The reconstruction has been supported by Persimmon Homes throughout.
We’re so pleased to have been part of a project that demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations think beyond the norm – when a housing developer encourages interest in an archaeological excavation, when an archaeological team re-builds as well as uncovers, when a history group looks forward to the future as well as back to the past.
Sadly, there was nothing uncovered with the temple that allows us to know to which deity it was dedicated. However, temples are associated with excavations of other production sites. It suggests that, to the ancient mind, turning one thing into another – turning clay into pots, for example - was so magical that they needed the assistance of the gods.
Whichever of the gods was looking down on us, we feel that Newington History Group has created something very special to celebrate Newington’s heritage.
Temple reconstruction at Watling Place, Newington