The MAME Museum of the Early Middle Ages in Rome is, like several smaller city museums, located in the EUR District. The objects on display in this museum date back to a period stretching from the 4th till the 10th century.
Early Middle Ages Museum Rome
Address, opening hours and admission
Address Museo dell’Alto Medioevo: Viale Lincoln – Rome. Phone: +39 39 06 54228199. Opening hours: From 09.00 till 20.00. Closed: Mondays, January 1, May 1, December 25.
History and description
The museum opened its doors in 1967. Most of the collection was found during excavations in and around Rome and in the central part of Italy. The objects on display date from the post-Roman period.
What to see
The first room includes three portraits of emperors from the 5th and 6th centuries. Also on display here are several tombs with inscriptions.
The next two rooms show mainly objects from the Lombard period. Most of these come from the necropolises of Nocera Umbra and Castel Trosino. The Lombards used to embellish the tombs of important people with luxury articles like belts with golden accessories and other silver and bronze objects. The weapons found in the tombs and burial chambers are sometimes decorated with gold handles. Many bronze vases are also on display.
The Carolingian period (6th to 8th centuries) is represented by marble objects taken from churches in Rome and the rest of the region of Lazio. The biggest attraction is the mosaic in the floor of the church of Santa Rufina.
There is an extensive collection of ceramics excavated in and around the Roman Forum.
The following rooms are devoted to finds from settlements in the Roman countryside. A highlight is the large floor mosaic from Santa Rufina.
The most beautiful room, however, is the one showing the auditorium of a domus from Porta Marina near Ostia. This is decorated entirely with marble inlays, according to a technique called Opus Sectile.
The last room shows fabrics and reliefs. These were made in Egypt and date from a transitional period between Roman and Islamic times. The liturgical rugs are particularly striking.