On the edge of the city of Newcastle is housed one of the great collections of archaeological artefacts to be found in the North. This 'hidden gem' of Northern English culture displays objects from Palaeolithic times to the 19th century. Notable stars include the Rothbury and Alnmouth Saxon Crosses, but the Roman gallery is the piece de resistance. Masterpieces of Roman art include the Birth of Mithras stone from Housesteads, featuring the earliest depiction of the signs of the zodiac found in Britain, the Aesica brooch, the Aemilia finger-ring and the enchanting South Shields Bear Cameo. Models of Hadrian's Wall and associated structures help bring Roman ways back to life, but they are beaten hands down by the eerie full-scale reconstruction of a Mithraeum (Temple to Mithras).

The Museum is owned & run by the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.