Antiquities Exhibits

Roman remains of Aosta (also spelled Aoste) in the Gallo-Roman Museum of Aosta, France. The geographical position of Aosta's road and river junction favored the development of crafts and commerce. Archaeological excavations have yielded a wealth of ceramic dishes including fine dishes, jugs and amphorae. Aosta's potters were especially renowned for their mortars which were exported as far as the British Isles and throughout th e Roman empire. An intact pottery oven was uncovered nearby in 1983. Aosta's glassmakers were also talented and the museum presents a number of decorated and stylized pieces. The museum's collections also include a slave sarcophagus, inscriptions, cinerary urns, and funerary jugs, vials, ceramics, and glass. Objects from daily life are also displayed including bronze tableware, children's games, and writing utensils.  An intact Gallo-Roman potter's oven uncovered in 1983, a short walk from the museum.

Prehistoric and Gallo-Roman artifacts at the Pierre Martel Museum in Vachères, France. This small but interesting museum features exhibits of fossils from the Oligocene period (30 million years ago) as well as artifacts from its Gallo-Roman past including funerary monuments and a statue known as the Vachères warrior, a Roman auxiliary wearing a chain mail shirt and carrying a Roman shield and weapons but wearing a Gallic torcque around his neck. The village also has a number of medieval structures dating back to the 13th century to explore as well. Image: A young Gallo-Roman warrior dressed in mail and wearing a Gallic torque. Image courtesy of the Pierre Martel Museum.

Gallo-Roman archaeology. Ongoing at Musée Rolin in Autun in central France. The museum's collections include a large number of figurines, small bronzes and statuettes, including a group of two gladiators in the round. There are also ornaments (jewelry, brooches, pins), tools ( 1st to 4th century), jars and pottery. Most of these works and everyday objects date back to the city's founding in the 1st century by the Roman Emperor Augustus . A room is dedicated to funeral steles decorated with bas-reliefs bearing the image of the deceased. Mosaics complete the collection. Among items of arms and armor is this beautiful ceremonial helmet of hammered bronze. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.