Roman Museum, Roman history museum in Canterbury, England
The Roman Museum is a collection of remains from the ancient city of Durovernum Cantiacorum housed across three underground levels. It holds original artifacts, mosaics, and reconstructions that show how people lived in this British settlement during Roman times.
Bombing raids in World War II uncovered ruins of a Roman townhouse with an intact mosaic floor, revealing what had been buried for centuries. The museum opened in 1961 to preserve and share these archaeological discoveries with the public.
The displays feature everyday Roman items such as footwear, pottery, and tools that reveal how Roman ways blended into ancient British society. These objects offer direct insight into how people organized their daily routines and domestic spaces in this corner of the empire.
The museum sits beneath the modern street level, so visitors must descend stairs to reach the exhibits. Comfortable shoes are helpful, and allowing time for a leisurely walk through the different levels will enhance the experience.
The museum preserves a rare Roman mosaic that was not excavated but left in place beneath Canterbury's streets. This in-situ floor decoration is one of Britain's few remaining examples that visitors can see where it originally lay.
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