Comment: How to see the Romans in Ravenglass!

(Photo by Rowan May)

Now that the project is nearly complete, there are several new Roman attractions visitors can see in Ravenglass ...

There is a new interpretation board next to the Roman Baths, in addition to those installed by English Heritage:

And there is a display in the Pennington Hotel, which means the display free to all, and open when the hotel is:

In addition, at the Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway (aka La'al Ratty) there will also be a small selection of the Roman finds collected by local people over the years.

Appearing not just in Ravenglass, the dig report is currently receiving final touches and will be available to download soon.

Event: Romans in Ravenglass at Muncaster Living History Week

Romans in Ravenglass Outreach: the days we went to Muncaster Castle

Over the August bank holiday weekend, the Romans in Ravenglass Outreach team went along to the Muncaster Living History Week. We joined the Red-Wyvern Society, a historical re-enactment society out to recreate life during the 15th century, and a host of other entertainers.

Our first day on site was sunny Sunday. We set up displays in the tent, which included some of the artefacts from Season 1’s excavations.  

We also unveiled our family activity for the two days - our very own site mosaic. The first mosaic tile was laid down by Peter Frost-Pennington of Muncaster Castle and was gradually added to throughout the day.

The artefacts from Season 1 were also very popular. Visitors admired and tried to decipher the amphora rim graffito.

Monday saw the rain come in and the temperature drop, but that didn’t stop the enthusiasm of visitors to the Romans in Ravenglass tent. And we got a lot more of the mosaic completed!

We saw around 150 people over the two fantastic days at Muncaster Castle. Thanks to all of the staff there for making us feel so welcome and for helping us to spread the word about Season 2 of the Romans in Ravenglass project. Also thanks to project volunteers Kim, Rosalie and Philippa who helped on the day.

We’ll be working on completing the mosaic during the excavation open days in September. Be sure to come along to an open day on either 12, 13 or 27 September and add your own tile!

Lisa Keys, Minerva Heritage Ltd

Romans in Ravenglass Outreach Coordinator

Event: Romans in Ravenglass at Muncaster Living History Week

Romans in Ravenglass

Muncaster Living History Week – on 24th and 25th August      

On a sunny bank holiday in May 2014 the Romans in Ravenglass project team went along to the Muncaster Festival to talk to festival goers about the project, and to show off some of the artefacts that had been found during Season 1’s excavations in 2013. It was the first time the artefacts had been on public display.

The table of artefacts on display

Information displays and replicas for handling will be available at the Muncaster Living History Festival, which is organised by the Heritage Lottery Fund Romans in Ravenglass project partner, the Muncaster Estate

Artefacts included fragments of a Roman mortaria – a bowl used for grinding food - that had been made by Romans on the Warwickshire/Leicestershire border, and a jet bead. All of the artefacts give us an insight into the Roman vicus, or civilian settlement, that once thrived in the area.

Don’t worry if you missed them in May! You will get another chance to see them this coming bank holiday weekend at the Muncaster Living History Week at Muncaster Castle and Gardens. The project team, which includes volunteers working on the project, will be at the Festival on 24 and 25 August. We’ll be there with the artefacts as well as displays about Roman Ravenglass and activities for children.

Be sure to pop by and say hello!

Lisa Keys, Minerva Heritage Ltd

Romans in Ravenglass Outreach Coordinator

Press Release: Romans return to Ravenglass

Romans return to Ravenglass

This press release was published on: 20 Aug 2014

A major historic investigation into a nationally important coastal site is set to return next month. Roman stronghold Ravenglass, once a fort at the southern tip of Hadrian's Wall, will see the second season of a £125,000 community study into the key civilian settlement site.

The three-year Heritage Lottery Fund backed initiative was launched last year. Evidence of occupation was identified in three trenches, along with significant finds including a piece of Samian ceramic, possibly showing Venus.

Situated on the western fringe of the Lake District, Ravenglass boasts an ancient bathhouse, the region's tallest surviving Roman relic from an occupation spanning AD 120 through to the fourth century.

Lake District National Park's archaeology and heritage assistant, Holly Beavitt-Pike, said the important study focused on the significant civilian settlement.

She added: "This is a rare opportunity for people to get involved, not just in understanding their rich heritage, but to leave a lasting legacy.

"September sees us back again, continuing to explore the full extent of the civilian settlement and we are looking for volunteers to get involved.

"Alongside the investigation, we are also inviting members of the public to attend the open days on 12, 13 and 27 September .

"This will be a great opportunity for people to have a tour of the excavation sites, get their hands on some real Roman artefacts and even have a go at digging.

"The third event on Saturday, 27 September, marks the end of the season for the final dig. We'd love people to come along, see what we've found – and even meet a real Roman soldier!"

The open days run from 10.30am to 3pm.

Organised by the Lake District National Park, the project is also supported by Muncaster Parish Council, Muncaster Estate and the Copeland Community Fund.

Report: Project Results Evening, 3rd June

There was a great line up of talks about the results from 2013's Romans in Ravenglass digging season.  Also promised was a preview of plans for the  2014's excavations  ...

Finds Viewing
First up, as from 6.30pm, was the Finds Viewing. In fact, some people were so keen, that they arrived well before the advertised time, and the finds were still being unpacked!  Sandra and Kurt fielded lots of questions, and even got to view some pottery brought in by a local collector.






By 7pm, when the talks were about to begin, the Old Laundry at Muncaster Castle was pretty much packed!  There were new faces, as well veterans from 2013.

Introductions

When everyone was settled, an introduction was given by Peter Frost-Pennington of Muncaster Castle who is the managing director of the land the excavations are on. He was looking forward to hearing about the results and the forthcoming season.

Holly spoke briefly about the upcoming showing of Romans in Ravenglass film and thanked the community for their participation in the project so far.
 The various versions of the Romans in Ravenglass film can be found here.





The excavations
After this, Kurt spoke about the results of last year's dig, which included an overview of the trench results (see Trench 1, Trench 2 and Trench 3 reports), and also the extensive Geophyscial survey. For 2014 Kurt told us about new Trench 4 to be used for schools and open days, giving the opportunity for schools (when they visit with Lisa) and visitors (on the Open Days) to have a go at digging. In addition, there are plans to have volunteer placements on site and helping on finds. These are for people with some experience who will have the opportunity to go into either site or finds work more deeply and have more responsibility. They will have longer stretches of time doing site or finds work. Further details will appear here and on the Lake District website soon.

The site will be open from Wednesday to Sunday, a change from the previous year. Sunday will allow those who work elsewhere during the week to have a choice of days to come to site, as well as allowing more weekend visitors to look round the excavations.

Outreach
Lisa then told the audience about the Outreach programme, which allowed several local schools to have a fun time learning about the Romans and digging in the classroom as well as on site.  In 2014 there will be three more site Open Days on the 12th, 13th and 27th September, as well as more schools visiting, along with the local Young Archaeologists' Club and Lake District Young Rangers. 

Last year, day-to-day site tours were run by dig stalwarts Leo and Brian, who managed to cover most days throughout the four weeks, and along with others as visitor numbers went up later on in the season. Visitor Experience Guides are now needed this season to spread the word about the background to the project and show the public and passers by around the site, and those interested will need to attend a training session on  August 9th - see further details here. The Romans in Ravenglass project finds will also be on display at the Living History Festival 24th-25th August at Muncaster Castle, and volunteers are needed for this event.

Sign up
The signing up forms for the 2014 season can be found on the Lake District's Roman in Ravenglass webpage.

After a short session of questions, the evening ended with people enthused and ready for the next season of excavations in September!

Event: Project Results Evening

The dates for the results evening has now been set, I know it is only February, but I’m keen to give you as much time as possible to clear your diary for, hopefully, a very exciting evening!

The results evening will take place on the 3rd June at the Old Laundry Room, Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass between 7pm - 9pm.

As well as talks and a showing of the film, we also hope to have some of finds on display, for you to have a look at over coffee, at the start of the evening.

A copy of the poster is available here

If you would like to book a place at the results evening please call Holly Beavitt-Pike on 01539 792687 or e-mail: archvol@lakedistrict.gov.uk

More details to be announced near the time!