2000 year old Roman mosaic uncovered in Shropshire
Archaeologists were not expecting to find it
Last updated 13th Aug 2024
A group of 30 archaeologists have discovered a rare mosaic, preserved since the early second century under the English Heritage site, Wroxeter Roman City in Shrewsbury.
The artwork depicts striking dolphins and fish in white, red, blue and yellow tiles. They're calling it "An Aquarium Frozen in Stone".
The excavation was originally looking for the main civic temple.
Archaeologists had not given this particular area much attention before. Senior properties Curator at English Heritage, Win Scutt said:
"We did some ground scanning - geophysical surveys, that located massive walls under this area. This investigation was to evaluate it, not to dig through those remains but to just dig to the top of them and that's where we found this amazing mosaic.
"It was a complete surprise because we just didn't expect a mosaic, no mosaics have been found at Wroxeter since 1839 - so this was really special. And what's even more special about it, is that it dates to an early period of the Roman occupation of Britain."
Speculating on who may have commissioned the mosaic, Win Scutt said: "This was a person of real importance, so we have his or her mosaic beautifully preserved and they've chosen fish!... To have fish there must have been a real sign of prestige. I think it was probably a dining room where the owner could display his or her wealth."
The dig revealed a number of important discoveries including coins, pottery fragments, the mosaic and a possible shrine.
The site at Wroxeter is believed to have been established around 90AD and the mosaic dates back to not long after.
Since finding it they have reburied it to preserve its beauty for more generations but have 3D images which you can look at, at the English Heritage site.
Wroxeter is one of the best preserved examples of a Roman city in Britain.
Wroxeter (or Viriconium as it was known) at its height would have contained over two hundred houses, a civic bath house, marketplace, county hall and judicial centre.
Today, a small number of ruined buildings are all that remain of the lost city above ground, alongside a museum, and much of the site remains unexcavated.
To find out more go to: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wroxeter-roman-city/