A Mithraeum is a place of worship for the followers of the mystery religion of Mithraism. The Mithraeum was either an adapted natural cave or cavern or an artificial building imitating a cavern. Mithraea were dark and windowless, even if they were not actually located in a cave.
The Carrawburgh Mithraeum lies south-west of the Roman fort at Carrawburgh, Brocolitia. The site of the temple was first discovered in 1949 and was excavated in 1950 by Sir Ian Richmond and Mr J.P.Gillam.
The first mithraeum to be built on the site was erected in the early 3rd century AD, later two more mithraeum’s were established. Inside the sanctuary, three large alters were found, with the remains of two ritual pots with the skull of a cockerel and two lumps of charcoal.
