Understand
Roman toddler's drinking cup goes on display in Cirencester museum
Overview
A 2nd-Century Roman toddler's drinking cup, known as a tettine, has gone on public display for the first time at the Corinium Museum in Cirencester. Discovered in fragments during 2011 excavations and painstakingly restored, the cup was found alongside a Roman cockerel figurine, indicating it was placed in a child's grave to provide sustenance and spiritual guidance to the underworld.
Key points
- A 2nd-Century Roman toddler's drinking cup (tettine) is on display at the Corinium Museum in Cirencester for the first time.
- The cup was discovered in fragments by archaeologists in Cirencester in 2011 and subsequently restored.
- It was found alongside a Roman cockerel figurine, likely placed in a child's grave to provide sustenance and help guide the spirit to the underworld.
- The conservation of the cup was funded by the Friends of Corinium Museum and carried out by Lynne Edge and Wiltshire's Conservation and Museum Advisory Service team.
- The unveiling coincided with the Cirencester History Festival, which uses the Corinium Cockerel as its mascot.