Museum of Ancient Mediterranean Cultures

Welcome to the University of Mary Washington’s Museum of Ancient Mediterranean Cultures. This museum is dedicated to the education on ancient Mediterranean cultures through student-led projects.

The thermopolium we have recreated here is meant to represent a space from the mid-second century CE. We aimed to evoke a somewhat elegant establishment with bright colors and murals that would attract affluent customers. We named our thermopolium COLUMBAE VENERIS (the doves of Venus”) after the murals, the one on the counter depicting doves pecking at the types of food served here and the one on the back wall portraying Venus holding her special dove. A visit to a thermopolium would have tantalized all of your senses. Imagine smelling the food being prepared and hearing the loud street noises as well as the people inside. Feel free to explore and to touch the counter, food props, and coins in this display.

HOURS

Monday/ Wednesday 11am-3pm

Friday 11am-4pm

The Museum is located in room 233 of the James Farmer building of the University of Mary Washington’s Fredericksburg campus.