2,000 Year Old Mosaic Discovered At Wroxeter Roman City

A stunning 2,000-year-old Roman mosaic has been unearthed at the Wroxeter Roman City during recent excavations, which also revealed the remains of an ancient building and a shrine.

Photo: University of Birmingham 

The intricate floor, adorned with vibrant images of fish and dolphins, has been likened to an aquarium preserved in stone and remains remarkably well intact.

Wroxeter Roman City was one of the largest cities in Roman Britain.

The recent excavation at Wroxeter Roman City was a joint project led by English Heritage, the University of Birmingham, Vianova Archaeology & Heritage Services, and Albion Archaeology.

Photo: University of Birmingham 

According to Historic England, the aim was to explore a series of evaluation trenches near the city’s forum, a potential location for the main Civic Temple, as suggested by a geophysical survey that identified a walled precinct.

The excavation successfully uncovered a large monumental structure along the city's main road, as well as a shrine or mausoleum within the precinct.

This sacred site may have been dedicated to a significant figure from Wroxeter’s early history, potentially linked to the legionary fortress or a founding figure of the city.

One of the most surprising finds was a stunning and extremely rare Roman mosaic, dating back to the early 2nd century, shortly after the city’s founding.

Likely commissioned by a wealthy and influential individual, the mosaic features dolphins and fish in vivid colours that remain vibrant to this day.

Additionally, a painted plaster wall adjacent to the mosaic has survived remarkably well, standing knee-high.

This excavation served as a research, training, and public engagement initiative, involving 30 archaeologists, including 20 students and volunteers of all ages, who spent a month working on-site.

To ensure its preservation, the excavation area has been reburied.

However, visitors can still explore Wroxeter Roman City’s existing ruins, a reconstructed Roman townhouse, and a museum showcasing artefacts such as deity figurines, water pipes, glass perfume bottles, and amulets, offering insight into the site's rich history.

Wroxeter Roman City was one of the largest cities in Roman Britain, located near modern-day Shrewsbury in Shropshire.

Founded in the 1st century AD, Wroxeter served as a key military and civilian settlement, originally established to support the nearby legionary fortress at Chester.

Over time, the city grew into a bustling urban centre with a population that may have reached 5,000 to 15,000 people.

At its peak, Wroxeter featured many hallmarks of Roman urban planning, including a grid of streets, public bathhouses, temples, a forum, and a basilica, all built to reinforce Roman culture and authority.

One of the most impressive structures was the massive bathhouse, which now stands as the most visible ruin.

Its walls, including a towering section nearly 20 feet high, are among the largest Roman ruins in Britain.

Wroxeter thrived as a trade and cultural hub, connecting the Roman Empire's northern frontier with the wider network of Roman Britain.

Its economy was based on agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, with evidence of pottery production and metalworking found in archaeological excavations.

The city also had a strong defensive presence, as evidenced by its fortifications and strategic location near the River Severn.

Despite its prominence, Wroxeter's decline began in the late 4th century, as the Roman Empire's hold on Britain weakened.

The city was gradually abandoned following the Roman withdrawal in 410 AD.

By the early medieval period, the once-thriving metropolis had fallen into ruin, though it remained a site of fascination throughout history.

In modern times, Wroxeter has become an important archaeological site, revealing rich details about Roman life in Britain.

Excavations began in the 19th century and continue today, with new discoveries shedding light on the city's infrastructure, economy, and daily life.

The site is managed by English Heritage, and visitors can explore the ruins, including the bathhouse, the reconstructed Roman townhouse, and the museum, which displays artifacts unearthed from the site.

If you enjoyed this blog post, please follow Exploring GB on Facebook for daily travel content and inspiration.

Don’t forget to check out our latest blog posts below!

Thank you for visiting Exploring GB.