Archaeologists discovered an ancient Roman altar while monitoring a development of a retirement home within the area of the Medieval walls in central York, Northern England.

According to the archaeologists the artefact was spotted amidst the upcast generated when a service trench was excavated through a backfilled Victorian cellar. Researchers state that the workmanship of the 40-centimetre high artefact appears rather crude, and the sculptor was probably as native as the millstone grit from which it is carved. Although the altar lacks an inscription on its front, a design can be seen on one side. The carvings consist of a patera used as a libation bowl, and handled jug. A deep bowl has been carved into the top of the object, and it has been suggested that the artefact was re-purposed as a garden planter or bird bath in more recent times.

(after Wessex Archaeology Online)