The ruins of Viroconium are located in the English village of Wroxeter. Founded in the late 1st century AD, this city was the fourth largest in Roman Britain, with a population exceeding 15,000 at its peak.
Recent excavations conducted by a team from the University of Birmingham, along with organizations such as English Heritage, Vianova Archaeology & Heritage Services, and Albion Archaeology, yielded a surprising discovery for the researchers.
In a wealthy citizen’s house situated along the main city road, archaeologists uncovered a stunning floor mosaic dating back around 2,000 years. Ancient artisans depicted dolphins and fish using white, red, blue, and yellow tiles. Researchers have dubbed the mosaic “an aquarium frozen in stone.”
Experts believe that such an extravagant floor decoration was likely commissioned by “a wealthy and important individual” residing in this building. Vin Skatt, senior curator of properties at English Heritage, described the discovery of the mosaic as “a breathtaking moment.” According to him, the team had no idea they would find such a magnificent mosaic that had been hidden from view for thousands of years.
“This discovery, along with a wealth of smaller finds like coins and pottery, will help us date various stages of the city’s development and uncover the types of activities that took place here over time,” Mr. Skatt said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Roger White, an archaeologist from the University of Birmingham, called the preservation of the mosaic over 2,000 years “extraordinary.” “It is extremely rare to find both a mosaic and its associated wall plaster; nothing like this has ever been found in Wroxeter,” the scholar noted. He referred to the discovery as “striking evidence of the wealth and confidence of the city’s founders.”
What Else Researchers Have Revealed
Researchers dated the mosaic to the early 2nd century AD, meaning it was created just a few decades after the city’s founding, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The artwork has survived because, in the late 3rd or 4th century, the house was likely remodeled. During this time, the room was filled with construction debris to raise the interior of the building to the height of the neighboring streets, which had increased.
Viroconium was inhabited until the mid-5th century (it’s worth noting that the Romans left Britain around 410 AD). While much of the city gradually declined and turned into agricultural land, not all its residents left. As Dr. White pointed out, a small community remained in the abandoned Viroconium, eventually rallying around St. Andrew’s Church.
Despite being 2,000 years old, much of the archaeological site remains unexcavated, although it is open for visitors. Today, you can see a small number of ruined buildings, including a large section of a Roman wall and public baths. Researchers have determined that the ancient Roman city contained over 200 residential houses, as well as a market square and a courthouse. The Wroxeter Museum houses artifacts such as figurines of deities, plumbing pipes, glass perfume bottles, and amulets.
Following geophysical surveys, a significant portion of Viroconium has been mapped.