Chelmsford has a rich archaeological history from prehistoric times onwards, including the Roman town of Caesaromagus and a number of medieval monuments. These have been revealed by excavations, and the artefacts from the digs are all stored by the museum.

Discover more about our archaeology exhibitions.

Gold Iron Age Celtic coins

Found in the north of Chelmsford, and minted by the Celtic leader Cunobelin at Colchester around AD 15.

Small gold coin

Bronze Celtic mirror

Found at Rivenhall. Celtic Mirrors are important examples of Iron Age art, and were usually the possessions of high born women. 

This mirror was found in 1848 near the church at Rivenhall, Essex. 

Bronze Celtic mirror

Roman jet jewellery

Excavated in 1972 in Hall Street. Jet is a form of petrified wood.

The jewellery includes a lion pendant, a necklace and bracelet, hairpins, and this Medusa pendant, which has been described as one of the finest in Britain. 

The jewellery would have been owned by a wealthy lady in the Roman town of Caesaromagus.

Roman Jet jewellery

Saxon Gold and garnet pendant

Found in Hanningfield in 2006, the pendant is from the 7th Century.

Saxon Gold and garnet pendant

Antler carved into the caricature of a monk

Excavated on the site of the Dominican Friary in Moulsham. You can see the monk has been given a long, beak-like nose. 

Antler carved into the caricature of a monk

Copper alloy tiger

Found during the excavation of a Roman settlement at Writtle by Heritage Writtle. The tiger may have been shackled by its left back leg.

Copper alloy tiger