Incredible Roman woman's skeleton on display is a must-visit

It was revealed earlier this month that the skeletal remains and lead coffin of a Roman woman believed to be in her 20s or 30s had been discovered by the Colchester Archaeological Trust.

Dubbed the Lexden Lady, she was buried with jet hairpins and a collection of rare glass flasks, suggesting she was a woman of high status.

Her burial site was discovered due to ongoing work at the former Essex County Hospital which is being turned into 120 homes.

The Lexden Lady is currently on exhibition for a year at the Roman Circus Visitor Centre which celebrates the city's Roman links.

Lexden Lady - The Roman Visitor Centre (Image: NQ)

As you walk into the exhibition room, it reveals the remarkable coffin and remains, protected by a glass casing.

The discovery was actually made in July 2024, and the exhibition reveals details about the excavation and what is known about the woman so far.

There is even a facial reconstruction of what the woman may have looked like, and visitors can still see some of the decorative shells on her coffin.

Discovery - archaeologist Alex Wade with the coffin at the site of the former Essex County Hospital (Image: Colchester Archaeological Trust)

Lexden Lady - the hair pins (Image: NQ)

You can also find out more about the woman, who lived, died and was buried in the second half of the Fourth Century AD – more than 1,600 years ago.

Experts say the Lexden Lady was 5ft 6in tall, when the average height of a woman in Roman Britain was 5ft 2in.

More will be unveiled over the coming year as the exhibition continues.

Colchester Archaeological Trust director Adam Wightman said: "The exhibition gives us an exciting opportunity to invite the people of Colchester and surrounding area in joining us in the story of the Lexden Lady and uncovering as much as we can about her as a person and her burial, which we are going to do by continuing the investigation.

Lexden Lady - the remains are on display (Image: NQ)

Lexden Lady - Adam Wightman, the director of archaeology at Colchester Archaeological Trust (Image: NQ)

Roman history - Lexden Lady (Image: NQ)

"We haven't got all the answers. We've got lots of really interesting scientific results and answers about the burial and her, but there is more to come.

"We are hoping people come to the exhibition and follow the story as it unfolds further."

Admission to the exhibition costs £5.

For more details, visit catuk.org/romancircus.