Nymph stone

Nymph stone, ancient Roman

Collected in 2003

Currently on display at Castleford Museum

A roughly rectangular stone with a simple carving of two female heads and inscription in Latin

This roughly carved stone shows two female heads. An inscription reads ‘to the nymphs’.

In Roman mythology nymphs were minor goddesses or spirits. They were usually related to nature. They were particularly linked to water, such as springs or streams.

Water was incredibly important to the Roman army. They needed it for drinking, cooking and for the bath-houses they built.

Water and nymphs were also linked with healing. Three quarters of all the Roman nymph dedications in Britain were by soldiers.

In northern Britain nymphs were also often linked with local goddesses, especially Brigantia. She was the goddess of the Brigantes tribe. They controlled Yorkshire before the Roman invasion.

The Romans often incorporated the beliefs and customs of the peoples they conquered into their system.