The collections
The Espace gallo-romain exhibits and preserves various regional archaeological collections from excavations and surveys carried out in the Ath region and around Pommeroeul.
These collections, mostly dating from the Gallo-Roman period, are extremely varied: objects made of leather, glass, pottery, wood and metal. They include everyday objects such as tableware, shoes and tools, as well as unusual and rare items: boats, swords, statuettes, and more. The barge and the dugout canoe are undoubtedly the highlights!
The barge is, in fact, recognised as a ‘Treasure’ by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
Pommeroeul: a port settlement
It was during the summer of 1975 that a Gallo-Roman site of international significance was unearthed at a depth of 2.5 metres in Pommeroeul, near Bernissart. The remains reveal a site that was occupied from the Neolithic period through to Roman times. The most significant settlement takes the form of a Gallo-Roman settlement situated at the junction of a road (Bavay-Blicquy) and a river (La Haine). This location likely gave it a prominent commercial and craft-based role for the regions north of the ancient town of Bavay. Pommerœul featured port areas, dwellings and workshops, wells, necropolises, and so on. The Roman occupation can be dated from the 1st century BC to the 3rd century AD.
1975-2025 : 50 ans des fouilles
The collections belong to various owners, including the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and the Wallonia Public Service. They are supplemented by objects on loan from the Royal Society of History and Archaeology of Ath and the Region, from private owners, and by archaeological artefacts belonging to the museum and the Ath Tourist Office (a non-profit organisation). We also hold the archives of the excavations at Pommeroeul and other sites whose material has been entrusted to us. This archival and digital section comprises excavation notebooks, plans, surveys, drawings, slides, negatives and photographs.
The museum has a documentation centre, accessible by appointment, which enriches and documents the themes covered as well as the collections through a variety of publications, whether scientific or popular, general or regional.
The Espace Gallo-Romain has been open to the public since 1997. Located in the heart of the city of Ath, it is housed in the former Académie de Dessin with its beautiful neoclassical façade.
OUR COLLECTIONS
the star attractions
the barge and the dugout canoe
1st–2nd centuries AD
The barge and the dugout canoe are undoubtedly the museum’s most prestigious exhibits.
The barge dates from the turn of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Of its original length (18–20 m,) 12.7 m has been preserved. The oak “monoxylon” (dugout canoe) measures 9.7 m (originally 12 m) and dates from the 1st century.
Curious?
Browse our collections
An inventory of the museum’s collections is available online in French.
ADRESSE
Rue de Nazareth, 2
7800 Ath (Belgique)
HORAIRE
Ouvert en été (du 1er avril au 30 septembre) du mardi au vendredi de 10h à 12h et de 13h à 17h. Les week-ends et jours fériés de 14h à 18h.
Ouvert en hiver (du 1er octobre au 31 mars) du mardi au vendredi de 10 h à 12 h et de 13 h à 17 h.