The Perfect Dinner Exhibition: Discover Roman History at Augusta Raurica

This exhibition transports visitors to the year 39 AD to explore the intricacies of a Roman feast in Augusta Raurica. By examining archaeological finds from ancient rubbish pits, the display reveals what Roman table culture was like and what we can learn about power and daily life from these discarded remains.

The exhibition invites visitors to investigate a high-profile banquet from 39 AD, where a distinguished guest was welcomed to Augusta Raurica. By studying the archaeological evidence recovered from a pit that remained hidden for nearly two millennia, the display reconstructs the atmosphere, menu, and social implications of Roman dining. It prompts visitors to consider the similarities and differences between modern table habits and those of antiquity, using the discovered 'rubbish' as a unique source of historical insight. The display serves as a detective hunt, allowing guests to piece together clues about Roman power dynamics and consumption patterns. By looking behind the scenes of a formal feast, the exhibition provides a narrative on historical sustainability and the material culture of the period, demonstrating how much information can be extracted from the waste left behind by past civilizations.

The exhibition is part of the museum offerings; for organized groups, a reservation is recommended. Fees for school classes from BL, BS, and AG are free of charge, while others pay CHF 6.- per child, payable at the ticket office.