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Ancient Roman altars discovered in Scotland to be exhibited

A forthcoming exhibit will feature two ancient Roman altars dedicated to Mithra, recently obtained for the nation’s cultural collection.

A pair of ancient Roman stone altars, recently acquired by the National Museums of Scotland, will be showcased to the public for the first time as part of an upcoming exhibition, offering a glimpse into the nation's rich history.

2 Ancient Roman altars being looked at by curator Dr Fraser Hunter. — The monuments gave frontier soldiers a sense of comfort and purpose, says Dr Fraser Hunter

These altars, dating back nearly 2,000 years, were utilized by Roman soldiers who worshipped the deity Mithras at a temple located at the northernmost boundary of the Roman empire.

The discovery of these remarkable altars was made in East Lothian's Inveresk, with estimates suggesting they originated around 140AD, a time when southern Scotland was being reoccupied under the rule of Emperor Antoninus Pius.

Although the National Museums of Scotland acquired the altars in 2016, the institution has only now announced the acquisition, coinciding with the reveal of a new exhibition scheduled to open in November.

The exhibition, titled Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire, is set to run from 14 November 2026 to 28 April 2027, providing a unique opportunity for the public to engage with Scotland's Roman past.

2 Ancient Roman altars at the National Museums Collection Centre. — The two altars were set up by a Roman centurion whose name was written in short form as G CAS FLA, likely meaning Gaius Cassius Flavianus

As the only examples of their kind discovered in Scotland, the altars are a significant archaeological find, having been excavated in 2010.

Following their excavation, the altars underwent conservation efforts to repair and reconstruct the fragments that had formed over time, in preparation for their public display.

According to experts, these altars would have been the central feature of the most northerly known Mithras temple within the Roman empire.

The cult of Mithras, a secretive and exclusive male-only organization, was primarily comprised of Roman soldiers who worshipped the deity.

At its core, the Mithras cult revolved around the concept of light triumphing over darkness and good prevailing over evil.

Rituals and ceremonies took place in underground Mithraea temples, where altars similar to these would have served as striking focal points.

One of the altars features an image of Sol, the Roman sun god, carefully crafted to appear illuminated from within.

This effect was achieved by designing the altar so that light would emanate from behind, casting a glow on the god's face and crown in the dark surroundings.

The same altar also boasts carvings of the four seasons, depicted as female figures, symbolizing the passage of time.

The second altar is dedicated to Mithras himself and adorned with symbols associated with other deities of light, including Apollo, as well as creatures commonly linked to Mithras, such as the griffin.

Ancient Roman altar of the sun god Sol. — Followers believed Mithras helped control the movement of the sun, moon, and stars

Both altars bear dedications from a Roman centurion, likely Gaius Cassius Flavianus, who may have been the commander of the Inveresk fort.

Ancient Roman altar with a griffin symbol. — This altar also features a lyre, plectrum and two ravens, which are often seen in Mithraic imagery

While evidence of Mithras worship in Britain largely dates back to later centuries, these altars demonstrate that the cult had already gained a significant following among soldiers by the mid-second century.

Dr Fraser Hunter, the principal curator of Roman Archaeology at the National Museums of Scotland, noted that the altars provide a unique window into the beliefs and values of the Roman frontier.

The exceptional craftsmanship, remnants of paint, and dramatic lighting effects of the altars underscore their significance as impressive and costly monuments.

According to Dr Hunter, the cult of Mithras represented a powerful ideology that gave soldiers a sense of purpose and reassurance of an afterlife, embodying the triumph of good over evil.

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UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances

The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.

In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.

The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.

Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.

The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.

The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.

Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.

With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.

In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.

Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.

Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.

The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.

Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.

Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.

Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.

After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.

Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.

In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.

For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.

In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.

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Guardiola Advocates for Cultural Embrace to Foster a Better Society

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has stated that accepting diverse cultures will lead to a more harmonious society, in reaction to comments made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration.

As a player, Pep Guardiola earned 47 international caps for Spain, showcasing his skills on the global stage.

Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, believes that embracing diverse cultures is essential for creating a more harmonious society.

Guardiola was questioned about his thoughts on comments made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who stated that the UK had been "colonised by immigrants", sparking a debate.

Following criticism, Ratcliffe apologised for any offence caused, while still advocating for open discussion on the issue.

Ahead of Manchester City's FA Cup fourth-round match against Salford, Guardiola shared his perspective, saying that people seek better lives and opportunities, which can be found in their birthplace or elsewhere.

According to Guardiola, one's birthplace is not a determining factor in their potential or aspirations.

Many individuals are forced to leave their homelands due to problems in their native countries, rather than a desire to abandon their roots.

Guardiola emphasized that by genuinely embracing other cultures, society as a whole can improve, a notion he has no doubts about.

An examination of the facts behind Jim Ratcliffe's statements on immigration and benefits is also underway.

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Born in Santpedor, Catalonia, Spain, Guardiola has had a diverse career, playing in Spain, Italy, Qatar, and Mexico, before transitioning to management.

As a manager, the 55-year-old has had stints in Spain, Germany, and England, taking the helm at Manchester City in 2016.

Guardiola views the issue of immigration as a global problem, stating that it is a concern that affects many countries.

He believes that immigrants are often unfairly blamed for problems in their adopted countries, highlighting the fact that one's birthplace is often a matter of circumstance.

Guardiola reiterated that people from all backgrounds strive for a better life, seeking opportunities that may be available in their birth country or elsewhere.

He stressed that factors such as skin colour or birthplace should not be barriers to achieving one's goals.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Manchester City, please refer to our dedicated section.

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GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.

For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.

Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.