The emergence of Christianity in the east of Roman Britain is the subject of a new paper by Dr. Martin Henig and made available via the Nene Valley Archaeological Trust website.
Publication of the paper on early Christianity coincides with the celebration of Peterborough Cathedral's 900th year Anniversary. Moreover, from the 25th August, Peterborough Museum will be displaying 7 of the objects from the " Water Newton Christian Treasure" found in 1975 at our local Roman town of Durobrivae. This remarkable group of Roman Silver is the one of the earliest examples of a set for the celebration of Mass known in the Western Roman Empire, and is normally housed in the British Museum.
There are inscriptions on some of the vessels, giving us the actual names of people who lived in and around the town at the time: Two ladies Innocentia and Viventia gave a cup; A man Publianus similarly donated another cup, while Amcilla fulfilled a vow by dedicating a silver leaf plaque.
The find suggests that Durobrivae could have had a public place of worship in the late fourth century AD. They are not the only Christian objects from our neighbourhood and surrounding region and for more details on Christianity go to Dr. Martin Henig's paper.
It is hoped that if copyright is granted more images can be added to Dr. Henig's in time.