Misplaced Pages

Roman Museum

Entrance in Butchery Lane, Canterbury
Established	1961 1994 after refurbishment
Location	11a Butchery Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2JR
Type	Scheduled monument, heritage centre
Collection size	Roman pavement; excavated Roman artefacts
Public transit access	Rail: Canterbury West; Canterbury East Buses: National Express, Stagecoach
Website	Canterbury Roman Museum

The Canterbury Roman Museum in Canterbury, Kent, houses a Roman pavement which is a scheduled monument, in the remains of a Roman courtyard house which itself is a grade I listed building. The pavement was discovered after World War II bombing, and has been open to the public since 1946. The museum was established in 1961. It houses many excavated artifacts from Roman Canterbury, including the important late Roman silver hoard known as the Canterbury Treasure, together with reconstructions of the Roman town.

History

Background

In the first century AD the Cantiaci were the inhabitants of Kent when the Romans captured a settlement on the River Stour and later called it Durovernum Cantiacorum, or stronghold of the Cantiaci by an Alder marsh. The new settlement was laid out as a partially grid-patterned town with a theatre, temple, forum and baths. In the late third century, to defend against attack from barbarians a town wall was built with seven gates. The town then covered 130 acres or 53 hectares.

Roman Canterbury reached the height of its development around 300 AD. The Roman townhouse which contained the pavement was surrounded by public buildings. The temple precinct was partially excavated in 1976–1982, but the temple itself was not found. The townhouse associated with the pavement may have been used until about 410 AD when the Roman administration left Britain.

Discovery, protection and display

The pavement was discovered after World War II bombing on 1 June 1942, and excavations were carried out by Audrey Williams and Sheppard Frere between 1945 and 1946. Public access was permitted from 1946, and the site was visited by royalty. Between 1958 and 1961 it was re-excavated by Dr. F. Jenkins, and the Roman Pavement Museum was established above it. The museum was re-established as the Roman Museum in 1994 after refurbishment. It is listed at Kent County Council as a scheduled monument, number KE89. It was excavated again in 1990 by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust. This is the best local example of a Roman townhouse; they found that this masonry building had undergone many alterations over a long period, adding several rooms, corridors and mosaics before abandonment in the 5th century. Parts of one of the largest theatres in Britain had been located beneath nearby streets and buildings. Substantial elements of public baths have been excavated underneath modern buildings in St Margaret's Street. Enigmatic traces of the Forum Basilica can be found under the High Street.

The museum was designed not only to involve the public in its own history and heritage, but also to commemorate and celebrate the many archaeologists who have been wresting the history of Canterbury from the soil since about 1857, when John Brent became one of the founder members of Kent Archaeological Society.

The museum aims to show what the Roman city was like, and to reveal the secret city beneath the feet of the visitor, thereby educating the public to appreciate local history. Each step by which one descends to the Roman pavement represents 100 years-worth of archaeological layers down to the 300 AD layer of the pavement.

Exhibits

Mosaic pavement

Generations of building at Canterbury have raised the level of the town since Roman times so that the pavement, with preserved remains of a town house with hypocaust, is exhibited in situ underground. The scheduled monument listing describes the pavement thus: "The excavations of 1945−1946 uncovered a series of three mosaic panels which decorate the remains of a corridor of a Roman house". It dates from around 300 AD and is preserved with an air conditioning system.

Excavated artefacts

Excavated objects such as household deities, including one in the form of a horse, are shown here. There is a lot of Roman glass including some decorated examples, silver spoons, an axe, tweezers, a plumb weight and dice. The 5th century AD silver hoard was excavated at Westgate Gardens in 1962. Military artefacts include metal parts of cavalry harness which have been reconstructed with new leather straps and a pair of cavalry swords (spathae) recovered from a double burial, possibly a murder. Roof tiles and floor tiles are also exhibited, one displaying a dog's footprints.

Reconstructions

The museum contains a reconstructed Roman house with kitchen, and a Roman market place - probably situated in the forum - with cobbler, haberdasher, greengrocer and fast food seller. The cobbler exhibit is a consequence of archaeologists finding cut-out pieces of leather for sandals. The original cut-out leather pieces are exhibited along with reconstructions of the sandals being made. These sandals had reinforced soles. A computer screen demonstrates the possible appearance of the house in Roman Britain, with images of the pavement being excavated. The time-tunnel display explains the end of the Roman occupation of the town, and the time-view painting displays Roman Canterbury as it was in later periods.

Interactive features

An interactive screen enables visitors to tour the Temple site of Roman Canterbury. Before leaving, the visitor can handle actual Roman artefacts, alongside a guide to identifying the objects. The "Make your own magnetic mosaics" and "Dress like a Roman" activities are intended to entertain and educate all ages.

Listing details

This is a Grade I listed building with SMR number TR15NE50-MKE4540 in location TR 15005778. The official description as listed is as follows:

Roman Courtyard House. Site of a large courtyard house c100 AD. A pavement is preserved in a basement and open to the public.Scheduled. (1-2) Remains of Roman town house, St George's Street. Grade 1. Part of a Roman town house. There are remains of tessellated pavements c300 AD and a hypocaust system. Brick walls about 3ft in height and 13 pillars. Scheduled as on AM. (3) The Butchery Lane Roman building was first excavated in 1945–6 by Audrey Williams and Sheppard Frere. In 1958–61 the cellars in which the building was found was enlarged and converted into the 'Roman Pavement' Museum. Several more walls and other features were discovered by Dr. F. Jenkins during this work (see illustration card). A hoard of 50 third century cordiate coins was found in the area west of the hypocaust stokehole in the Roman building in Butchery Lane. (4-6) TR 150577. Roman site, Butchery Lane. Scheduled No 89. (7)

Other Statuses and Cross-References: Monarch Uid 464392 (Active); Listed Building (I) NAR (Active); Scheduled Monument KENT 89 (Active); National Monuments Record TR 15 NE 50 (Active).

Resolved fears of closure

The museum was under threat of closure in 2009, pending a decision by Canterbury City Council on 18 February 2010. This caused widespread controversy. In the event the Council voted to close the museums in 2011, but said it would fund them for the financial year 2010−2011 whilst working with other organisations to examine ways of keeping the museums open. Meanwhile, the entry fee for the museum was expected to be doubled during 2011. The situation is now resolved, but this is now part of the history of the museum.

See also

• Herne Bay Museum
• Westgate, Canterbury
• Westgate Hall, Canterbury
• Whitstable Museum and Gallery

References

1. "Cs.kent.ac.uk". Visualising Roman Canterbury: Computer Graphics in Archaeology. 1997. Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
2. ^ Wacher, John (1995). The Towns of Roman Britain. London: B. T. Batsford.
3. rarekfm. "Youtube". Canterbury Roman Museum - animation (English Local History). Retrieved 26 January 2010.
4. ^ "AboutBritain.com". Canterbury Roman Museum. 1999–2010. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
5. "Time Team Live 2000: Canterbury 25–28 August". Canterbury: Current Archaeology, December 1981. 2000. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
6. Lambert, Tim (1990). "Local Histories". A brief history of Canterbury, Kent. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
7. ^ Information from National Monument listing details held at the Planning Department of Kent County Council
8. Canterbury Archaeological Trust Education (1988). "Time Team live 2000: Canterbury, 25–28 August". The Centre of Roman Canterbury c 300 AD. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
9. from museum labels
10. ^ KentTVdotcom (10 August 2009). "Youtube". Roman Museum. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
11. ^ "Canterbury City Council Online". Roman Museum webpages. Canterbury: CCC. 2009. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
12. Green, Marion (2006). "Canterbury Archaeological Trust". Roman Canterbury: Images of a Romano-British town. CAT. Archived from the original on 24 November 2006. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
13. Harmsworth, Andy (2000). "Schools and Beyond". National Curriculum History Roman Canterbury, a journey into the past. Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd. Archived from the original on 24 November 2005. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
14. Harmsworth, Andy (1995). "Canterbury Archaeological Trust". Roman and Anglo-Saxon Canterbury reconstructed. CAT. Archived from the original on 24 November 2005. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
15. "Canterbury Archaeological Trust". Why history is a load of old rubbish. CAT. 2000. Archived from the original on 24 November 2005. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
16. Full listing details held on paper at Planning Department, Kent County Council, with photographs and details of unpublished sources
17. "Exploring Kent's Past". HER Number TR 15 NE 50, Roman courtyard house (remains). Mosaic pavements of circa 300 AD. Kent County Council. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
18. Eyb, Lynette (8 February 2010). "The Independent". Canterbury's Roman Museum could fall victim to the credit crunch. Independent News and Media Limited. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
19. "Canterbury Museums & Hall". City of Canterbury budget 2010−2011. April 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
20. Gilbey, John (10 February 2010). "Canterbury City Council Online". Museums budget statement. CCC. Archived from the original on 19 February 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
21. "Canterbury City Council Online". Budget Consultation: Council sets next year's budget - 19 February 2010. 19 February 2010. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
22. Finch, Graham (19 February 2010). "Canterbury City Council Online". Agenda Council Thursday, 18th February, 2010 7.00 pm. CCC. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
23. Warren, Gerry (19 February 2010). "Kentish Gazette". Siege of Canterbury City Council. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
24. "This is Kent: Herne Bay Times". Budget cuts approved by Canterbury City Council. 19 February 2010. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
25. Liz Crudgington, "Bitter debate over 'realistic' budget", Herne Bay Times (Kent Messenger), p.7, 25 February 2010
26. Blower, Nerissa (20 January 2011). "Prices soar in bid to save museums". Herne Bay Times. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
27. Blower, Nerissa. "Canterbury City Council may increase entry prices in bid to save museums". This is Kent. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2011.

External links

• Canterbury Museums & Galleries official website
• Canterbury City Council Online: Agenda for Exec Committee 21 Jan 2010 (includes link to audio recording of meeting)
• What's on at Canterbury Roman Museum
• Youtube: Roman Museum playlist
• Canterbury Archaeological Trust official website
• Roman and Anglo-Saxon Canterbury Reconstructed.
• Aerial photo of walled Canterbury (Roman museum is mid left, inside city wall)
• Time Team: Roman and Saxon archaeology of Canterbury
• Time Team: Map of Roman Canterbury
• Image of archaeologists working on mosaic pavement, 2006
• BBC News: Paul Bennett gives guided tour of Roman silver hoard and murdered Roman soldiers exhibits at Roman Museum, 10 February 2010

51°16′44″N 1°04′53″E / 51.27889°N 1.08139°E / 51.27889; 1.08139 (Roman Museum)

v t e Ancient Roman religion and mythology
Deities (Dii Consentes)	Agenoria Angerona Anna Perenna Apollo Aurora Bellona Bona Dea Carmenta Castor and Pollux Ceres Cloacina Cupid Dea Dia Diana Dies Dīs Pater Egeria Fauna Faunus Flora Genius Hercules Janus Juno Jupiter Lares Lares Familiares Liber Libertas Luna Mars Mercury Minerva Neptune Nox Ops Orcus Penates Pluto Pomona Priapus Proserpina Quirinus Salacia Saturn Silvanus Sol Summanus Venus Veritas Vesta Vertumnus Vulcan Abstract deities Abundantia Aequitas Aeternitas Africa Annona Averruncus Caelus Concordia Feronia Fides Fortuna Fontus Laverna Pax Pietas Roma Salus Securitas Spes Tranquillitas Terra Victoria
Legendary figures	Aeneas Rhea Silvia Romulus and Remus Numa Pompilius Tullus Hostilius Servius Tullius Ancus Marcius Lucius Tarquinius Priscus Lucius Tarquinius Superbus Kings of Alba Longa Hersilia
Legendary beings	She-wolf Barnacle goose
Texts	Virgil Aeneid Ovid Fasti Metamorphoses Propertius Varro Res divinae Sibylline Books Apuleius The Golden Ass
Concepts and practices	Festivals Interpretatio graeca Imperial cult Charity Palladium Theology of victory Pomerium Temples Capitolium Cella Celtic
Philosophy	Cynicism Epicureanism Neoplatonism Peripateticism Pythagoreanism Stoicism
Events	Golden Bough Founding of Rome Rape of the Sabine Women Battle of Lacus Curtius
Objects	Gubernaculum Parabiago Plate Pignora imperii
Variations	Gallo-Roman Mysteries Cybele Isis Mithraism
See also	Classical mythology Decline Persecution Etruscan religion Glossary Greek mythology Myth and ritual

v t e Provinces of the early Roman Empire (117 AD)
Achaia Aegyptus Africa proconsularis Alpes Cottiae Alpes Maritimae Alpes Graiae et Poeninae Arabia Petraea Armenia Asia Assyria Bithynia and Pontus Britannia Cappadocia Cilicia Corsica and Sardinia Crete and Cyrenaica Cyprus Dacia Dalmatia Epirus Galatia Gallia Aquitania Gallia Belgica Gallia Lugdunensis Gallia Narbonensis Germania Inferior Germania Superior Hispania Baetica Hispania Lusitania Hispania Tarraconensis Italia Iudaea Lycia et Pamphylia Macedonia Mauretania Caesariensis Mauretania Tingitana Mesopotamia Moesia Inferior Moesia Superior Noricum Pannonia Inferior Pannonia Superior Raetia Sicilia Syria Thracia
Italy was never constituted as a province, instead retaining a special juridical status until Diocletian's reforms.

v t e Museums in Kent
List of museums in Kent - includes location, type
Agricultural Museum Ashford Museum Belmont House and Gardens Blue Town Heritage Centre Brattle Farm museum Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway Brenzett Aeronautical Museum British Cartoon Archive Canterbury Heritage Museum Chantry Heritage Centre Chart Gunpowder Mills Chartwell Chatham Historic Dockyard Chiddingstone Castle Chillenden Windmill C M Booth Motor Museum Colonel Stephens Railway Museum Court Hall Museum Crabble Corn Mill Crampton Tower Museum Cranbrook Museum Dartford Borough Museum Davison's Mill Deal Castle Deal Maritime & Local History Museum Deal Timeball Tower Museum Dickens House Museum, Kent Dover Castle Dover Museum Dover Transport Museum Draper's Windmill Dymchurch Martello Tower East Kent Light Railway Eastgate House Eden Valley Museum Elham Valley Railway Museum Finchcocks Fleur de Lis Museum and Gallery Folkestone Museum Fort Amherst Godinton House Gravesend's Secret Cold War Bunker Guildhall Museum, Queenborough Guildhall Museum, Rochester Herne Windmill Herne Bay Museum and Gallery Hever Castle Hop Farm Country Park Hythe Library and Museum Ightham Mote Kent & Sharpshooters Yeomanry Museum Kent Battle of Britain Museum Kent Life Kent Museum of Freemasonry Kent Police Museum Knole House Lashenden Air Warfare Museum Leeds Castle Lullingstone Roman Villa Lydd Town Museum Maidstone Museum & Art Gallery Maison Dieu Manston Fire Museum Margate Old Town Hall Local History Museum Mascalls Gallery Meopham Windmill Minster Abbey Gatehouse Museum Museum of Canterbury New Hall Museum New Mill Norman Museum New Tavern Fort Old Brook Pumping Station Old Soar Manor Otford Heritage Centre Owletts Penshurst Place Powell-Cotton Museum Princess of Wales Royal Regiment Museum Quebec House Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum RAF Manston History Museum Restoration House Rochester Art Gallery and Craft Case Roman Museum Roman Painted House Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway Royal Engineers Museum Royal Museum and Art Gallery Salomons Museum Sandwich Guildhall Museum Sarre Windmill Scotney Castle Sevenoaks Museum Sheerness Heritage Centre Shoreham Aircraft Museum Sittingbourne Heritage Museum Six Poor Travellers House Smallhythe Place South Foreland Lighthouse Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Building St Augustine's Abbey St Margaret's Museum Stocks Mill Stoneacre Swanton Mill Teapot Island Temple Manor Tenterden & District Museum Tonbridge Castle Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery Turner Contemporary Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum of Carriages Union Mill, Cranbrook Upnor Castle Walmer Castle Walpole Hotel & Museum West Gate Towers Westenhanger Castle White Mill Rural Heritage Centre Whitstable Museum and Gallery Woodchurch Mill Woodchurch Village Life Museum
See also: Tourist attractions in Kent

v t e Roman visitor sites in the UK
Villas	Bignor Brading Chedworth Crofton Dover Painted House Fishbourne Great Witcombe Littlecote Lullingstone Newport North Leigh Piddington Rockbourne Sparsholt Wroxeter
Forts & military	Ambleside Roman Fort Arbeia Banks East Turret Binchester Birdoswald Burgh Castle Caerleon Chesters Derventio Dover Castle Eboracum Hardknott Roman Fort Housesteads Lancaster Lunt Carvoran Roman Army Museum Over Burrow (Lancaster) Pevensey Castle Portchester Castle Ribchester Richborough Segedunum Venta Icenorum Vindolanda
Towns	Aldborough Roman Site Chichester Colchester Corbridge Silchester Venta Icenorum St Albans Wroxeter
Museums	Canterbury Roman Museum Carvoran Roman Army Museum Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths Colchester Castle Museum Corinium Museum Jewry Wall Museum National Roman Legion Museum Ribchester Senhouse Roman Museum Trimontium Trust (Melrose) Verulamium Museum
Other sites	Bath Roman Baths Benwell Roman temple Caerleon Roman Baths Chester Roman Amphitheatre Jewry Wall, Leicester Welwyn Roman Baths York Roman Baths

• Museums in Canterbury
• Museums established in 1961
• Scheduled monuments in Kent
• Archaeological museums in England
• Museums of ancient Rome in the United Kingdom
• Grade I listed buildings in Kent
• Grade I listed museum buildings