The Espace gallo-romain, located in Ath, is inaugurating a completely renewed exhibition dedicated to ancient river navigation. This new presentation, on the museum's first floor, showcases the exceptional boats discovered at Pommeroeul, valuable evidence of an active Roman-era river port.
The exhibition invites visitors to explore three essential aspects of Roman navigation: life aboard, the construction of vessels, and river trade. Centered around the barge and dugout canoe from Pommeroeul, new displays detail the daily lives of boatmen, the craftsmanship of builders, and the goods transported across the Empire.
The first section focuses on life aboard, presenting objects that accompanied boatmen nearly two millennia ago. The second display addresses the construction and propulsion of vessels, highlighting the techniques and materials used by ancient navigators.
Finally, the third display is dedicated to river trade, the economic engine of the Roman world. The exhibited artifacts illustrate the exchanges that connected different regions through a vast network of waterways. Manipulable replicas enhance the visitor experience, offering a better understanding of ancient river transport realities.
This new presentation will also highlight ongoing and future research on the Pommeroeul boats, contributing to a deeper understanding of these exceptional discoveries and sharing their stories.
