Medieval period, the palace lay below several feet of built-up soil and was forgotten about until its re-discovery in the 19th century. Legacy A museum was erected over the excavated palace by the Sussex Archaeological Society, in order to protect and preserve some of the remains in situ. The museum incorporates most of the visible remains, including one wing of the palace. The gardens were re-planted using authentic plants from the Roman period, including roses, lilies, rosemary, various fruit trees and boxed hedges. A team of volunteers and professional archaeologists are involved in a continuing research archaeological excavation on the site of nearby, possible military buildings as well as a harbour area located on the southern portion of the Fishbourne site. The latest excavation season was conducted in 2002. The Fishbourne Roman Palace Museum was closed to the public in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sussex Archaeological Society lost an estimated £1 million in income from visitors, and in June began a fundraising appeal so that it could continue maintaining Fishbourne Roman Palace along with other properties. Gallery References Further reading Barry Cunliffe (1998), Fishbourne Roman Palace. The History Press. Miles Russell (2006), Roman Sussex. The History Press. Miles Russell (2006), "Roman Britain's Lost Governor", Current Archaeology'' 204, pp. 630–635 External links Fishbourne Roman Palace Museum Buildings and structures completed in the 1st century Buildings and structures in Roman Britain Buildings and structures in West Sussex Museums in West Sussex Museums of ancient Rome in the United Kingdom Archaeological museums in England Roman villas in West Sussex 1960 archaeological discoveries 1st-century establishments in Roman Britain 270s establishments in the Roman Empire 3rd-century disestablishments in Roman Britain Fishbourne