Roman cavalry soldiers used pendants and other shiny metal objects to decorate their horses. There were various shapes and sizes of pendants, many of which had symbolic value. This particular pendant is fashioned in the shape of a leaf, with two round lobes flanking a longer central lobe. The leaf symbolises Roman viticulture (wine growing). 3D model of the Roman […]
Read More TextThis cooking pot was discovered in 1994 during an archaeological investigation in the hamlet Vogelzang, south of Maastricht in the Netherlands. This site showed a considerable quantity of flint tools and potshards discovered in a ten-by-ten-meter zone. During the examination of these, it was found that around ten entire pots could be reassembled from the pieces (Centre Céramique, 2007). 3D […]
Read More TextThe bead in this collection originates from the 6-7th century. It was traced back to the Frankish Empire which invaded the Netherlands in the 5th century. The Frankish bead was found in the grave of a deceased woman near Saint-Servatius in Maastricht, presumably to demonstrate her social power and/or protect her (S. Aarts, personal communication, March 1, 2023). Because it […]
Read More TextFound during an excavacation of one of Maastricht’s main squares Our Dear Lady, this is one of two bone skates owned by the Centre Ceramique. While today figure skating is a popular winter pastime, as well as a renowned Olympic sport, when this item was used over thousands of years ago, it was not for leisure. 3D model of the […]
Read More TextThis Oculist Stamp dating back to the Roman Period was found in Maastricht, the Netherlands in the 1980s near the historic Roman thermal baths (S. Aarts, personal communication, February 15, 2023). Oculist Stamps are tools that were used by Roman doctors for eye disease treatment (Birley, 1993, p. 111; James, 1926, p. 114). Specifically, these stamps were used to mark the […]
Read More TextThis Roman-British drinking cup was found in Sint Bernardusstraat in the city of Maastricht, Netherlands. It deptics a hunting scene in barbotine decoration involving a dog following what seems to be two deer. Due to the elite nature of hunting, dogs and scenes depicting dogs were popular symbols of wealth in Roman culture. Due to Maastricht’s Roman origins, innumerable remnants […]
Read More TextThe image depicted shows a component of the Roman roofing system called the tegula. To create a waterproof roof, the tegula is put together with an imbrex, making a complete structure that channels the water down and off of the roof. The tegulae are laid flat on the roof next to each other, while an imbrex is used to cover […]
Read More TextThis spout was found underneath Hotel Derlon at the square of Our Lady. A very important site where remains of a possible Roman sanctuary were found and the remains of the Roman fortress from the 4th century. This sprout could stratigraphically be dated to the late Iron and early Roman period, making it one of the oldest Roman objects found […]
Read More TextThis Frankish pot was discovered in Maastricht, Limburg, a southeastern city in the Netherlands. It dates back to the period of 601-650 CE and was found in 1929. During the Merovingian period, different artisanal activities became quite frequent in Maastricht. In the area on the west bank of the River Meuse, at the Lage Kanaaldijk and in Lanakerveld, and on […]
Read More TextThis jar in the shape of the head of Silenus regroups many characteristics of the Roman Empire such as its mythology and rituals, as well as daily life routines. It was found in a grave in Eijsden, Limburg and is thus believed to have been part of grave offerings, which were part of a funeral ritual in the Roman religion […]
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