Finely-decorated Roman lead coffin goes on display

A decorated lead coffin containing the remains of a high-status woman was discovered in Colchester in 2023 during excavation ahead of housing development at the former Essex County Hospital site. The burial includes rich grave goods such as fine jet hairpins and glass unguentaria. Scientific analysis indicates she died in her 20s or 30s and that expensive imported materials were used in burial treatment, including frankincense and gypsum. Residue analysis also found traces of exotic resins in one glass vessel. Preliminary evidence suggests she was locally born but fully Romanized culturally, supported by her family’s wealth and access to goods imported across the Empire. The exhibition runs for a year at the Roman Circus Visitor Centre.

"The lead coffin was uneartaken during the last days of the dig, after the public had been allowed to visit the site for one day, so the new exhibition is the first chance people will have to see her and her accoutrements."

"Samples of residues found in the coffin were identified as frankincense and gypsum, indicating expensive imported materials were used in the treatment of her body for burial. Residue analysis also found traces of exotic resins in one of the glass vessels."

"Preliminary evidence suggests she may have been Colchester born and bred, but fully Romanized culturally and thanks to her family's wealth, with access to goods imported from all over the Empire."

"This is one of the most fascinating Roman burials we have worked on in Colchester in recent years. The decorated coffin is a beautiful object in its own right, but it is the combination of the coffin, the grave goods and the scientific evidence that makes this burial so compelling."

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