Sunday 17th May
Today I visited the Roman Palace at Fishbourne. I remember it being discovered in the 1960s when I was a school boy but I do not remember ever visiting it. It was found by construction workers who uncovered a mosaic floor when digging up land to lay drainage pipes for a new housing development. The floor, known as the Dolphin mosaic, was almost perfectly intact and astounding in its beauty. Fortunately, the land was then bought by a rich benefactor so that the housing development did not take place and further discoveries could be made.
Illustration of the Palace as it may have appeared at the end of the first century AD
The Dolphin Mosaic, Fishbourne Palace
It certainly seems that it was a grand palace and that an important local ruler lived here. In its heyday it probably housed about a hundred people, which included men, woman, children and slaves. It is now considered an important part of Britain’s heritage and is well worth a visit.
Keith Jahans
Editor, Peatmore Press
We’ve been there!! I very vaguely remember. All looks lovely!
There’s another Roman Building at Bignor, with a dolphin mosaic which is so unlike a dolphin that I wrote a short story about it that is due to appear in the next anthology by the ‘Sea Scribes’ This will be a little booklet of poems, stories and puzzles all based on Worthing and the surrounding area. I’m glad you are enjoying your travels. This area is quite inspirational. Julie.
Hi Julie. Thank you for your comment. I will lookout for your short story anthology.