Roman Britain / Learning resources

Museums and conservation

Protect a Roman mosaic

Use Brading and Bignor to investigate the choices involved in keeping fragile floors available to visitors.

Start here

Read the discovery and conservation histories of Brading and Bignor. Make two timelines that keep the Roman buildings separate from later excavation, shelters and conservation. The activity uses published accounts; do not test cleaning or repairs on historic material.

Try the activity

  1. Identify a threat to the mosaics described by a source. Record what happened and the response, rather than assuming all sites face identical problems.
  2. Compare how a cover building affects rain, light, drainage and visitor movement. Distinguish an observed feature from a possible benefit.
  3. Sketch a visitor route for a fictional mosaic room. Keep people away from the floor while giving them a clear view and useful explanation.
  4. Write a decision note balancing protection, access and the ability to understand the room’s original layout. Explain one compromise.

Discuss and check

  • Can a protective building itself become historically important?
  • What might be lost if a floor is lifted from its setting?
  • Why are monitoring and maintenance as important as a dramatic rescue?

Review your work

Check that the decision note does not promise a permanent solution to every risk. Conservation decisions depend on materials, setting and resources. Finish by identifying one question for a conservator that cannot be answered simply by looking at a photograph of the mosaic.

Sources and further reading

  1. Brading Roman Villa: protecting the remains
  2. Bignor Roman Villa: discovery and the villa’s inhabitants

Romans in Britain · People · Places · Learning resources