A Roman mosaic discovered in 1988 during the construction of a shopping mall in southeast England is finally set to be displayed to the public. Originally found but reburied due to lack of funds for study, the nearly 2,000-year-old artwork will now be preserved under glass at the Lion Walk Shopping Centre in Colchester, about 60 miles northeast of London. Colchester, once the first Roman capital of England and the oldest recorded town in Britain, is known for its Roman artifacts, with more than 40 mosaics documented by the Colchester Archaeological Trust.

As the mosaic was being excavated, shoppers showed great interest, with the center’s manager, Martin Leatherdale, noting the excitement among passersby. Archaeologists have uncovered about one-fifth of the mosaic so far, including previously unseen sections. The project aims to have the mosaic fully displayed by the end of summer.

Colchester, originally named "Camulodunum" after the god of war, became a Roman fortress in 43 C.E. and was later established as the capital of the Roman province Britannia. Despite being largely destroyed in a 60 C.E. rebellion led by the Iceni and Trinovantes tribes, the town was rebuilt with defensive walls, remnants of which still stand. Today, visitors can explore the Colchester Castle museum, situated on the site of the ancient temple.