Lost Roman Sea Mosaic Fragment Makes a Splash at Corinium Museum!

A remarkable piece of history is about to be displayed at the Corinium Museum in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. This is a fragment of a Roman mosaic that dates back to the 2nd Century, making it nearly two thousand years old. The mosaic shows a lively scene of sea creatures, including eels, fish, crabs, and a dolphin, as well as mythological figures like swimming cupids and a sea-leopard. The fragment was discovered in 1783 under the foundations of Gloucester House on Dyer Street, but it was later reburied in the 19th Century. Over the years, construction work damaged much of the original mosaic, but a surviving section was carefully removed and preserved by specialists. The Lamplough family, who lived at Gloucester House, kept the fragment safe for many years.

Earlier this year, Piers Lamplough, the son of the owner, contacted the Corinium Museum to arrange for the mosaic to be loaned to them. He explained that this fragment has traveled through almost two thousand years, quietly connecting generations of people. He believes that history is not something we own, but something we look after for a while before passing it on to others. The museum already has two other mosaics that are believed to come from the same Roman town house. One of these mosaics shows a wild boar being chased by a hunting dog, and the other features birds that look like peacocks, grouse, or chickens. The original sea life mosaic was recorded in detail by antiquarians Samuel Lysons and Richard Smirke, and the surviving fragment was saved by the assistant curator of the Corinium Museum, Stephen Clews, and conservator Marilee Parrott.

Emma Stuart, the director of the Corinium Museum, said that when the mosaic arrived, everyone at the museum gathered around to see it. She said it was thrilling to have a piece of history that was thought to be lost forever return to the museum. The museum already displays two other mosaics from the same Roman house, and this new fragment adds to their collection. Dr Pat Witts, from the Association for the Study and Preservation of Roman Mosaics, said that the lost mosaic was considered one of the best drawn and most classical in style among Romano-British mosaics. She said it was exciting that part of it survived and has now returned to the museum. The mosaic will be on display at the Corinium Museum by the end of the year, giving visitors a chance to see a piece of ancient art and learn more about the history of Roman Britain. The museum encourages people to visit and share their own story ideas about Gloucestershire's history.