POSTED:
21st September 2026
21st Sep 2026
Exhibitions
Discover one of Britain’s greatest archaeological stories at our upcoming exhibition
Discover one of Britain’s greatest archaeological stories 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.
The Mildenhall Treasure was discovered in a Suffolk field in 1942 and consists of 34 magnificent pieces of late Roman silver tableware dating from the 4th century AD. Using mixed reality headsets, visitors step into a digitally recreated version of the original discovery site. Rather than viewing artefacts behind glass, you are invited to view the landscape, uncover exquisitely detailed 3D model replicas of the Roman silver from the ground, and examine each object as if you were the person who first discovered the hoard.
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.
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.
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.