What is the Mildenhall Treasure? Discover more at our upcoming exhibition.

Information from Mildenhall and District Museum

The Mildenhall Treasure is an exceptional collection of Roman silver tableware that reveals the artistic skill, wealth and culture of Roman Britain. Discovered in 1942 by Gordon Butcher and Sydney Ford in West Row (near Mildenhall, Suffolk), it contains elaborate dishes, bowls, goblets and spoons. Its burial may be connected to the political, military and religious instability of the late Roman Empire. Although theories exist about its original owner and the circumstances of its burial, many questions remain unanswered.

What Is the Mildenhall Treasure?

The Mildenhall Treasure is a collection of over 30 items of Roman silver tableware from Roman Britain.
It includes platters, bowls, goblets, spoons and other silver objects.
Many items are richly decorated with figures, animals, leaves and geometric patterns.
Due to its historical and monetary value, the treasure is housed in the British Museum.

What Does the Treasure Consist Of?

The Great Dish: The largest and most impressive piece, measuring 60.5 cm in diameter and weighing 8.256 kg. It features scenes of dancing and drinking, including Hercules, Pan and Bacchus, as well as sea monsters and a sea god.
Other platters: These include smaller dishes decorated with scenes of celebration and a large platter with geometric patterns in black niello inlay.
Bowls: Six flanged bowls feature human and animal figures, decorative rims and leafy designs. A covered bowl has a domed lid decorated with leaves, wild animals and human heads.
Goblets: Two silver goblets have shallow bowls, moulded stems and leaf decoration. They may also have been used as platters when turned upside down.
Fluted bowl: A large bowl decorated with plain and leafy panels, with handles shaped like swans’ heads.
Spoons and ladle bowls: The collection includes eight spoons and five ladle bowls, with dolphin-shaped silver-gilt handles. Some spoons feature Christian symbols or inscriptions wishing their owners a long life.

Who Found the Treasure and When?

The treasure was discovered in January 1942 during the Second World War.
Ploughman Gordon Butcher uncovered a large metal dish while working in a field at West Row, near Mildenhall.
He called his employer, Sydney Ford, who collected local antiquities.
Together, they uncovered 34 objects, which initially appeared to be made of pewter or lead.
Ford took the objects home, where some were straightened and displayed.
After the war, a visitor recognised that the objects were Roman silver.
On 1 July 1946, the hoard was declared Treasure Trove and became Crown property.
Butcher and Ford shared a reward of £2,000, less than the full market value because the discovery had not been reported promptly.
The British Museum subsequently acquired the treasure.

Are the Stories About the Treasure True?

Rumours suggest that the treasure may originally have been larger or discovered somewhere else.
Some local stories claim that objects were sent abroad before the remaining pieces were buried again.
A small Roman building with underfloor heating existed near the discovery site, raising questions about its possible connection to the treasure.
However, there is insufficient evidence to confirm these stories, and the truth may never be known.

Troubled Times in Roman Britain

Many silver and gold hoards in East Anglia were buried during the late 4th century AD.
Britain faced considerable instability, including attacks by Saxon pirates from the sea and Pictish and Scottish raiders from the north.
Religious conflict also affected the Roman Empire when Emperor Julian (360–363 AD) attempted to restore paganism.
The Roman Empire was beginning to weaken and fragment.
Wealthy people may have buried their valuables for protection but were unable to return to recover them.

The Fens in Roman Times

The Fens and surrounding areas were prosperous and well populated during Roman Britain.
The wetlands provided fish and wildfowl, while the surrounding farmland supported crop growing and sheep farming.
Grain and wool contributed to the region’s wealth.
The Icknield Way and Peddars Way connected East Anglia with other parts of Britain, while rivers provided routes to the sea and the wider Roman Empire.
Archaeological discoveries, including coin hoards and evidence of large timber buildings, demonstrate the area’s prosperity.
Other important regional finds include the Water Newton Treasure, Thetford Treasure, Snettisham jewellery and Hoxne Hoard.

Who Owned the Mildenhall Treasure?

The treasure’s exceptional quality, large quantity of silver and Christian symbols suggest it belonged to a very wealthy and influential person.
One theory identifies the owner as Lupicinus, a Roman general sent to Britain from Gaul in 360 AD by Emperor Julian to deal with barbarian attacks.
Some experts have suggested that the Great Dish might have been a gift from the emperor.
Lupicinus was later recalled to Rome, where he fell out of favour and was arrested.
If he owned the treasure, he may have been unable to return to retrieve it.
However, the identity of the owner remains uncertain.

Discover one of Britain’s greatest archaeological stories at Haverhill Arts Centre. Told through an extraordinary blend of history and cutting-edge technology, The Mildenhall Treasure Mixed Reality Exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the excitement of uncovering one of the most important Roman discoveries ever made in Britain.

Developed by Xibitr, digital heritage Mixed Reality specialists in partnership with Mildenhall Museum, the exhibition combines archaeology, innovation and storytelling to create an accessible experience for visitors of all ages.

But what was this treasure and why has it become so famous?

If you’ve never heard of it, the Mildenhall Treasure is one of the most important Roman archaeological discoveries ever made in Britain.

It was discovered in a Suffolk field in 1942, when a collection of 34 pieces of beautifully decorated Roman silver tableware was unearthed. The objects date from the 4th century AD, when Britain was part of the Roman Empire around the time of emperors such as Constantius II and Valentinian

The hoard includes spectacular serving dishes, bowls, spoons and other vessels, many decorated with intricate scenes from Roman mythology and everyday life.

But who buried the treasure, and why? Was it hidden for safekeeping, or was there another reason? We still don’t have all the answers.

This remarkable discovery is now part of the story we’re bringing to life through our Mixed Reality Exhibition at Haverhill Arts Centre this November, allowing visitors to experience the excitement of uncovering the treasure for themselves.

The discovery was even written about by Roald Dahl, who was working as a RAF pilot and intelligence officer during the Second World War when he encountered the story of the treasure. He wrote about the treasure for The Saturday Evening Post in 1946, helping bring the remarkable story to a much wider audience.

Visit mildenhallmuseum.co.uk to find out more.

What to expect

You do not need any previous knowledge of archaeology or technology to enjoy the exhibition.
Mixed reality means that digital images are placed into the real world using a special headset. In this exhibition, the headset allows you to see a recreation of the Suffolk landscape where the treasure was discovered, appearing as though in the ground in front of you.
You will be able to look around the recreated discovery site, uncover the objects and examine them in detail. The objects you see are highly detailed 3D models of computer-generated versions of the original artefacts that you can view from different angles.
Staff will explain how to use the equipment and guide you through the experience.

The exhibition is suitable for visitors of all ages.

Book your tickets HERE.

School groups can also book the experience by contacting the box office directly.