About us
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives (BMGA) Archaeology collection consists of several million objects. Formed over a period of c.175 years, it is one of the earliest archaeology collections in the region with objects from across the South West. Today it is the largest and fastest growing collection in the museum with most material being collected as the result of professional archaeological fieldwork. Since the 1990s, BMGA has been the recognised repository for archaeological archives from the City of Bristol and South Gloucestershire. BMGA’s extensive archaeological collections are managed and promoted by the Archaeology Section, which consists of:
· Gail Boyle - Senior Collections Officer
· Kate Iles - Collections Officer
· Kurt Adams – Portable Antiquities Scheme Finds Liaison Officer
· Samantha Boyle – Community Archaeology Trainee
The Section is also supported by Bristol & Regional Archaeological Service, BMGA’s own field unit.
The Roman Collection
This is an excellent representative regional collection relating to the whole of the Roman period, from post-conquest to end of Roman rule. It includes many early and important acquisitions (a fragment of the Orpheus mosaic at Withington, 1825; the Brislington coin hoard, 1829; the Rev. John Skinner’s Camerton bequest and lead-mining material from Charterhouse-on-Mendip, 1839). It also includes the Orpheus pavement from Newton St Loe (1851) which is one of only nine such identified pavements in the country and stylistically may well be the earliest in date.
As a whole, the collection comprises material from a wide variety of types of site: religious, urban, civilian, and military. Material acquired through controlled excavation in the City dates back to 1899 with the excavation of Brislington Roman Villa. Material from other major excavated sites includes that from Gatcombe and Kings Weston Roman villas, Nettleton Shrub, Camerton, Chew Valley Lake and Sea Mills (PORTVS ABONAE).
One of the most significant responsibilities of the Archaeology Section is the care of Kings Weston Roman Villa!
Programme of public events
Each year the Archaeology Section at Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives runs a successful programme of archaeological events with an active volunteer input. These events would not be possible without the support of the Service’s dedicated team of volunteers who undertake a range of duties including:
• running archaeological themed craft activities
• leading handling sessions with archaeological objects
• providing visitors with information and booking store tours
• helping younger visitors to dress like a Roman
· Gail Boyle - Senior Collections Officer
· Kate Iles - Collections Officer
· Kurt Adams – Portable Antiquities Scheme Finds Liaison Officer
· Samantha Boyle – Community Archaeology Trainee
The Section is also supported by Bristol & Regional Archaeological Service, BMGA’s own field unit.
The Roman Collection
This is an excellent representative regional collection relating to the whole of the Roman period, from post-conquest to end of Roman rule. It includes many early and important acquisitions (a fragment of the Orpheus mosaic at Withington, 1825; the Brislington coin hoard, 1829; the Rev. John Skinner’s Camerton bequest and lead-mining material from Charterhouse-on-Mendip, 1839). It also includes the Orpheus pavement from Newton St Loe (1851) which is one of only nine such identified pavements in the country and stylistically may well be the earliest in date.
As a whole, the collection comprises material from a wide variety of types of site: religious, urban, civilian, and military. Material acquired through controlled excavation in the City dates back to 1899 with the excavation of Brislington Roman Villa. Material from other major excavated sites includes that from Gatcombe and Kings Weston Roman villas, Nettleton Shrub, Camerton, Chew Valley Lake and Sea Mills (PORTVS ABONAE).
One of the most significant responsibilities of the Archaeology Section is the care of Kings Weston Roman Villa!
Programme of public events
Each year the Archaeology Section at Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives runs a successful programme of archaeological events with an active volunteer input. These events would not be possible without the support of the Service’s dedicated team of volunteers who undertake a range of duties including:
• running archaeological themed craft activities
• leading handling sessions with archaeological objects
• providing visitors with information and booking store tours
• helping younger visitors to dress like a Roman