An old Roman mosaic was found in 1988 by construction workers in southeast England building a shopping center. They just noted the mosaic's location and carefully covered it back up because there wasn't enough funding to research the relic. Shoppers didn't realize they were strolling on top of a nearly 2,000-year-old masterpiece of art for the next 35 years and a half.

According to Sarah Rose Sharp of Hyperallergic, the beautifully patterned mosaic is now finally receiving its time in the spotlight. Colchester Borough Council and Lion Walk Shopping Center representatives have started an effort to unearth the object and cover it in glass.

The first Roman capital of England was Colchester, which is located about 60 miles northeast of London. It is also Britain's earliest town known to exist. Roman objects frequently turn up as a result, and the Colchester Archaeological Trust has recorded over 40 known mosaics as such, according to Jo Lawson-Tancred of Artnet.

Director of the trust Philip Crummy tells Artnet that Colchester is not known for its Roman past as much as it should be.

A steady stream of interested customers stopped to observe workers as they gently unearthed the mosaic in front of a vape shop. The manager of the shopping mall, Martin Leatherdale, called the interest from onlookers "phenomenal" to Daniel Rees of the Colchester Gazette.

The magazine quotes him as saying, "We are confident that we are in a good position to understand the science and infrastructure changes required to unveil this masterpiece in all its glory this summer."

Archaeologists estimate that they have discovered around a fifth of the mosaic's overall area so far, including some pieces that were not first visible until the late 1980s. By the end of this summer, they intend to finish the project and put the mosaic on exhibit.

The city was originally known as "Camulodunum," after the god of war, until it was given the name Colchester. The Roman emperor Claudius ordered his forces to construct a fortification at Camulodunum after successfully invading Britain in 43 CE. A few years later, the area was designated as a civilian town and chosen as the initial capital of Rome's new Britannia province.

According to the local tourism organization, Visit Colchester, construction teams constructed a number of structures during that time, including the Temple of Claudius. The town also once had three theaters, a senate house, townhouses, and a Roman chariot-racing circus. In 60 CE, the local Iceni and Trinovantes population led a revolt against the Romans that resulted in the destruction of the settlement and many of its structures.

Later, a defensive wall was built around the town, nearly two-thirds of which are still in place today. The Colchester Castle museum, which was erected on the site of the demolished temple, is also open to tourists today.