10 May of this year marked the 125th anniversary of the Aquincum Museum, which opened its gates in 1894.
By then the scientific study of the Roman period in what is now Budapest had begun over 100 years previously. After all, a part of the legionary fortress’s baths was unearthed in 1778. The golden age of Aquincum excavations, however, began in earnest during the second half of the 19th century.
It was during this time that eminent archaeologists uncovered the centre and amphitheatre of the Aquincum Civil Town. It was also thanks to their tireless efforts that the Aquincum Museum opened in 1894 on the site of the excavations. To this day the museum continues to research, present and revive the Prehistoric, Roman and Migration Period history of the Hungarian capital.
In these 125 years our knowledge of the past has increased with countless new Roman remains and archaeological finds, and the museum too has grown continuously. Meanwhile, archaeology has developed exponentially, with newer and newer angles of analysis, technologies and discoveries revolutionising research.
Here’s to another exciting 125 years!
Happy Birthday, Aquincum!
