<p>Archaeologists, while excavating the fourth-largest Roman settlement in Britain, made a stunning discovery of a floor mosaic that had a depiction of an underwater scene filled with fishes and dolphins.</p>

<p>Wroxeter Roman City in Shropshire was a Roman settlement and had a population of more than 15,000 nearly 2,000 years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Archaeologists are still excavating Wroxeter as the ancient location continues to spill its secrets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The floor mosaic was found by the archaeologists at a former townhouse in the city, which was known as Viroconium Cornoviorum.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/this-lost-temple-was-hidden-beneath-synagogue-where-jesus-performed-miracles-archaeologists-suspect-749119">THIS lost temple was hidden beneath synagogue where Jesus performed miracles, archaeologists suspect...</a></p>

<p>The mosaic has been described as "an aquarium frozen in stone" and depicts dolphins and fish&nbsp;with the help of intricately arranged white, red, blue and yellow tiles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The newly-found artwork was reportedly commissioned by "a wealthy and important person" who was staying at the building.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ancient Roman city of&nbsp;Viroconium Cornoviorum was once spread over nearly 180 acres but in present times it is only a series of ruins, which is in the north of the modern-day village of&nbsp;Wroxeter.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Experts call the discovery of mosaic 'astonishing moment'</strong></h2>

<p>The latest excavations were carried out in July by the University of Birmingham, Vianova Archaeology &amp; Heritage Services, English Heritage and Albion Archaeology.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Senior properties curator at English Heritage, Win Scutt, said that the mosaic's discovery was an 'astonishing moment'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We never suspected we would find a beautiful and intact mosaic, which had lain hidden for thousands of years," Scutt said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India's First sunken museum opens at Humayun's Tomb site</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-first-sunken-museum-opens-at-humayuns-tomb-site-746896/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"It's always an astonishing moment when you uncover a fragment of beauty hiding just below the ground. This discovery, alongside a large number of small finds such as coins and pottery, will go a long way in helping us to date the various phases of the city and indicate the kinds of activities that were taking place," he added.</p>

<p>Archaeologist at the University of Birmingham, Dr Roger White, said that the existence of the mosaic after 2,000 years is "extraordinary".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The new knowledge is startling evidence for the wealth and confidence of the founders of the city," said Dr White.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This is breathtakingly emphasised by the extraordinary survival of a multi-coloured mosaic and substantial surviving frescoed walls built in the first few decades of the city's existence," he said.</p>

<p>"It is extremely rare to find both a mosaic and its associated wall plaster, and nothing like it has ever been found at Wroxeter before," the archaeologist added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Archaeologists, while excavating the fourth-largest Roman settlement in Britain, made a stunning discovery of a floor mosaic that had a depiction of an underwater scene filled with fishes and dolphins.

Archaeologists, while excavating the fourth-largest Roman settlement in Britain, made a stunning discovery of a floor mosaic that had a depiction of an underwater scene filled with fishes and dolphins. Wroxeter Roman City in Shropshire was a Roman settlement and had a population of more than 15,000 nearly 2,000 years ago. Archaeologists are still excavating Wroxeter as the ancient location continues to spill its secrets. The floor mosaic was found by the archaeologists at a former townhouse in the city, which was known as Viroconium Cornoviorum. Also Read: THIS lost temple was hidden beneath synagogue where Jesus performed miracles, archaeologists suspect... The mosaic has been described as "an aquarium frozen in stone" and depicts dolphins and fish with the help of intricately arranged white, red, blue and yellow tiles. The newly-found artwork was reportedly commissioned by "a wealthy and important person" who was staying at the building. The ancient Roman city of Viroconium Cornoviorum was once spread over nearly 180 acres but in present times it is only a series of ruins, which is in the north of the modern-day village of Wroxeter. Experts call the discovery of mosaic 'astonishing moment' The latest excavations were carried out in July by the University of Birmingham, Vianova Archaeology & Heritage Services, English Heritage and Albion Archaeology. Senior properties curator at English Heritage, Win Scutt, said that the mosaic's discovery was an 'astonishing moment'. "We never suspected we would find a beautiful and intact mosaic, which had lain hidden for thousands of years," Scutt said. Watch: India's First sunken museum opens at Humayun's Tomb site "It's always an astonishing moment when you uncover a fragment of beauty hiding just below the ground. This discovery, alongside a large number of small finds such as coins and pottery, will go a long way in helping us to date the various phases of the city and indicate the kinds of activities that were taking place," he added. Archaeologist at the University of Birmingham, Dr Roger White, said that the existence of the mosaic after 2,000 years is "extraordinary". "The new knowledge is startling evidence for the wealth and confidence of the founders of the city," said Dr White. "This is breathtakingly emphasised by the extraordinary survival of a multi-coloured mosaic and substantial surviving frescoed walls built in the first few decades of the city's existence," he said. "It is extremely rare to find both a mosaic and its associated wall plaster, and nothing like it has ever been found at Wroxeter before," the archaeologist added. (With inputs from agencies)

A Roman aquarium? Archaeologists find a 2,000-year-old mosaic with depiction of fish, dolphins

<p>The archaeologists unearthed the remains of a Roman mausoleum “with an astonishing level of preservation”, which appeared as the most intact historic structure of its kind that has ever been excavated in Britain, in London.</p>

<p>The “incredibly rare” discovery was excavated at The Liberty of Southwark development site, which is located a stone's throw from London Bridge station and Borough Market, revealed the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The tomb's excavation follows the discovery of some of the Roman mosaics, the largest ones found in London in more than 50 years, in February last year on the same site. The discovery includes interior floors and walls. A striking mosaic is placed at the centre and is surrounded by a raised platform, which was used to place the burials. The archaeologists also discovered the lowest entrance steps that have&nbsp;survived to date.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The interior's level of preservation makes this Roman mausoleum the most intact which has been discovered to date in Britain, as per the MOLA. The archaeological investigations were led by the MOLA on behalf of the site's owner Landsec and Transport for London (TfL) and Southwark Council.</p>

<h2>A microcosm for the changing fortunes of Roman London</h2>

<p>The officials have planned a public display of the mausoleum in future after significant modifications. A second mosaic discovered just beneath the first indicates that it was raised during its lifetime. The two mosaics discovered are similar in design with concentric circles surrounding the central flower.</p>

<p>Speaking about the discovery, MOLA senior archaeologist Antonietta Lerz said, “This relatively small site in Southwark is a microcosm for the changing fortunes of Roman London – from the early phase of the site where London expands and the area has lavishly decorated Roman buildings, all the way through to the later Roman period when the settlement shrinks and it becomes a more quiet space where people remember their dead."</p>

<p>“It provides a fascinating window into the living conditions and lifestyle of this part of the city in the Roman period," she added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Two mummification workshops unearthed in Egypt</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/two-mummification-workshops-unearthed-in-egypt-597543/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The officials have redeveloped the site as The Liberty of Southwark, which is a complex of homes, offices and shops.</p>

<p>Southwark Council cabinet member Catherine Rose stated that the council will ensure the archaeological treasures are preserved and the community has access to it for generations to come.</p>

<p>&nbsp;“The rediscovery of this Roman mausoleum and mosaics is a testament to the rich tapestry of our past," she stated.</p>

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The archaeologists unearthed the remains of a Roman mausoleum “with an astonishing level of preservation”, which appeared as the most intact historic structure of its kind that has ever been excavated in Britain, in London.

The archaeologists unearthed the remains of a Roman mausoleum “with an astonishing level of preservation”, which appeared as the most intact historic structure of its kind that has ever been excavated in Britain, in London. The “incredibly rare” discovery was excavated at The Liberty of Southwark development site, which is located a stone's throw from London Bridge station and Borough Market, revealed the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA). The tomb's excavation follows the discovery of some of the Roman mosaics, the largest ones found in London in more than 50 years, in February last year on the same site. The discovery includes interior floors and walls. A striking mosaic is placed at the centre and is surrounded by a raised platform, which was used to place the burials. The archaeologists also discovered the lowest entrance steps that have survived to date. ALSO READ | Egypt's ancient history at 'City of the Dead' dug through for highway project The interior's level of preservation makes this Roman mausoleum the most intact which has been discovered to date in Britain, as per the MOLA. The archaeological investigations were led by the MOLA on behalf of the site's owner Landsec and Transport for London (TfL) and Southwark Council. A microcosm for the changing fortunes of Roman London The officials have planned a public display of the mausoleum in future after significant modifications. A second mosaic discovered just beneath the first indicates that it was raised during its lifetime. The two mosaics discovered are similar in design with concentric circles surrounding the central flower. Speaking about the discovery, MOLA senior archaeologist Antonietta Lerz said, “This relatively small site in Southwark is a microcosm for the changing fortunes of Roman London – from the early phase of the site where London expands and the area has lavishly decorated Roman buildings, all the way through to the later Roman period when the settlement shrinks and it becomes a more quiet space where people remember their dead." “It provides a fascinating window into the living conditions and lifestyle of this part of the city in the Roman period," she added. WATCH | Two mummification workshops unearthed in Egypt The officials have redeveloped the site as The Liberty of Southwark, which is a complex of homes, offices and shops. Southwark Council cabinet member Catherine Rose stated that the council will ensure the archaeological treasures are preserved and the community has access to it for generations to come. “The rediscovery of this Roman mausoleum and mosaics is a testament to the rich tapestry of our past," she stated. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

'Incredibly rare' Roman tomb excavated near London Bridge station

A Roman-era mosaic has been discovered in Syria. The mosaic was found in a town formerly held by rebels. Ghadi Francis tells you more on The West Asia Post.

The West Asia Post | Roman-era Mosaic discovered in Syria

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