Meet me at the temple

We had a really fun day at Vindolanda.  For anyone that doesn't know, this is an archaeological dig in Northumberland, not far from Hadrian's wall.  It was a Roman military settlement for many years



 Entire outfit (except hiding walking boots= thrifted/charity shop-
M&S vintage (80's???) check dress, belt from vintage dress, coat originally H&M, Beret (Primark new)

Not far from Hadrian's Wall, you can see archaeologists working on digs as you wander around

Vindolanda was once upon a time, one of the key military posts in the north of England.  It is the home of Britain's Top Treasure according to a vote by the British Public- a series of wooden writing tablets that give us an insight into the lives of the Roman soldiers and their families in Roman times. It is a miracle that they survived for us to be able to read, since they were made of thin wood and had they not been preserved upon some layers of bracken without exposure to oxygen, they would have perished along with all other wood/paper matter.

The site is extensive and you can see the ruins and remains of the Roman town: residences of officers and barracks, a temple to an unknown God, mausoleum...

Reproduction fort and site in the middle of archaeological dig- there are nine layers of settlements built on top of each other over the occupation period

Water containers

During the drier weather, you can see volunteers digging on the site, carefully searching for interesting matter.  I stood and watched some volunteers and saw one unearthing some pieces of pottery and we talked to the head of the site who told us a few things.

There is a reproduction fort at the edge of the site and a repro Roman temple which is pictured above with me.

The museum was interesting with many relics and finds and transcriptions of the wooden writing tablets.

There were several of these 'workshops' that contain many unexhibited findings- pottery, metal, stone, wood etc

Carvings

Roman sandals- already pictured in my Roman wishlist post

Glass beads

I'd definitely recommend a visit to here.  You can also visit its sister site, the Roman military museum, some miles along Hadrians' wall!

Aerial view from the reproduction fort