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The mosaic on the Atrium wall at Dorset Museum used to be a floor mosaic, laid in a home on the outskirts of Roman Dorchester.
Mosaics were important features of high status Roman houses, both in towns and the countryside. They were made by setting small pieces of coloured stone, called tesserae, in mortar. The tesserae in this mosaic are made of local Portland stone and Purbeck marble, as well as fragments of ceramic tile.
The mosaic measures 7.15 metres by 4.8 metres.
The mosaic was initially discovered at the Lott and Walne Foundary in Dorchester in 1903. It resurfaced in 1927 and was gifted to the museum by its proprietors J. J. Walne and O.C. Vidler, in the same year.
Geometric patterns and animals were popular designs. This mosaic is in the Durnovaria style, which often included sea creatures. The style was seen in houses and villas across Dorset and Somerset in the 2nd and 4th centuries CE.
The extraordinary piece of artwork, dating back to the Roman era in the 2nd century, was discovered in Dorchester. Listen as Mathew explains how the Fordington mosaic can be used as an engaging object in Key Stage 2 Maths & History.
The sea god, Neptune, is at the centre of the mosaic. The sea represented by seaweed in his hair, and he is surrounded by fish and dolphins. The intricate braid used throughout, called guilloche, also has links to water.
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
The great bustard has a dignified slow walk but tends to run when disturbed, rather than fly.
The hen-bird on display at The Salisbury Museum was one of the last great bustards to be eaten in the town!