Roman Altar from Castlecary Fort, Falkirk District, Central Region, Scotland

The presence of this altar to Fortuna within the University of Glasgow illustrates the contemporary surge in antiquarian activity along the line of the Roman frontier in Central Scotland. By the 1760s, local landowners had already gifted around 20 Roman sculptures associated with the Antonine Wall to the University. A decade later, work on the Forth and Clyde Canal led to new sculptures such as this altar being unearthed and donated to the University. To this day, the pre-eminent collection of Roman artefacts now housed in The Hunterian provides unique opportunities to study Scotland’s Roman past.