[TQ 94002734] A Roman altar of Kentish rag is reputed to have been found under the chancel of Stone-in-Oxney Church [TQ 92 NW 3] possibly between 1677 and 1738, and is now situated in the church tower. An iron bridle ring attests to its use between c. 1716 and 1926 as a horse block. In 1777, Wm. Gostling, vicar, described the altar as having "an ox in relief on every side, only one of which remains fit to form a drawing from". [See AO/LP/62/87 and AO/LP/62/88] (1) The Roman altar is in the church tower and is as described above. (2)

Often described as an altar to Mithras, there is no evidence for this dedication.

Rectilinear cropmarks appearing to consist of a double square arrangement c.500m to the west at Catt Farm could be a possible origin for the altar.

Historic England Archive material (6-7)

<1> Hist of Kent 1st Ed 1790 539 (E Hasted) (OS Card Reference). SKE43943.

<2> Hist of Kent 2nd Ed 8 1799 279 (E Hasted) (OS Card Reference). SKE43955.

<3> Arch Cant 47 1935 1-12 illus photos (F W Cock) (OS Card Reference). SKE35212.

<4> F1 ASP 01.03.63 (OS Card Reference). SKE41855.

<5> Field report for monument TQ 92 NW 4 - March, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4703.

<6> ROMAN ALTAR DEPICTING AN OX IN RELIEF ON EACH SIDE SEE ALSO AO/LP/62/87,88 (Photograph). SKE564.

<7> ROMAN MITHRAIC ALTAR DEPICTING AN OX IN RELIEF ON EACH SIDE (Photograph). SKE565.