Letter: Donald Gordon obituary
Equally, his work on the correspondence of James Curle, the site's excavator at the start of the 20th century, adds much to our knowledge of archaeological inquiry of the period. In Gordon's book Revealing Trimontium (2023) it is poignant to see how civilised dialogue and co-operation between international scholars and enthusiasts were affected by the first world war.
We also learn that complaints by academics about journalism garbling their work are nothing new.
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BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
'Mysterious' Roman artefact to go on show in Nottingham
A rare "mysterious" Gallo-Roman dodecahedron discovered by an amateur archaeological team has gone on display in 12-sided hollow object will be on show at the University of Nottingham Museum at Lakeside Arts from Friday until 18 January museum said the item was one of archaeology's enigmas as its purpose remains unknown and there are no references in Roman texts or depictions of artefact - which stands about 8cm tall and weighs 245g - was found in the Potter Hill area of Norton Disney, Lincolnshire, in June 2023. The Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group began excavating at a Roman site in the village close to a Roman villa and the Fosse Way Roman road in museum said the excavation was coming to an end when the team discovered the "rare and very fine example" of a Gallo-Roman said while most other examples have been found damaged, or as fragments, the Norton Disney dodecahedron was complete and in "remarkable condition".Richard Parker, secretary of the archaeology group, said: "We thought we were very much on a fairly routine Roman site, finding lots of Roman masonry, huge amount of Roman pottery and then on the second to last day, we made this really spectacular and unusual discovery of a Gallo-Roman dodecahedron."It was found unusually in a Roman quarry pit with lots of other materials, such as pottery and bone and nails."That tells us a little bit about the dating of it and gives us a clue about why that dodecahedron was found there."Mr Parker said it is the only one to be discovered in the Midlands of the 33 identified in Britain. In January 2024, the find featured in an episode of Digging for Britain, with presenter Prof Alice Roberts saying: "It has to be one of the greatest, most mysterious, archaeological objects I've ever had the opportunity to look at up close."Mr Parker said after this the discovery got worldwide attention."The curiosity is that people have been finding them for 300 years and nobody has any idea what they are," he said."It's so unusual, so odd in appearance, and just makes absolutely no sense."There's still a great mystery within archaeology," he added.A total of 130 dodecahedra that have been found have come from the area known to the Romans as Gaul. This included modern France and Belgium, as well as parts of the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. The museum said the discovery prompts further questions about Norton Disney's importance in Roman artefact is part of a free Norton Disney dodecahedron exhibition, which looks back at the last two years of excavations at the Roman site, and delves into the current understanding of the mysterious dodecahedron. Mr Parker added the exhibition will also "illustrate the circumstances" of how the dodecahedron was found and the history of the Saturday, the museum will be celebrating the opening of the exhibition by being part of the free Roman-themed, Festival of Archaeology event.
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Inside DOOMED Mt Vesuvius villa destroyed by volcano blast where famed Roman emperor may have died 2,000 years ago
That many furnaces would have heated a significant amount of water, which may have even been used to entertain influential guests LAVA-LY HOME YOU'VE GOT Inside DOOMED Mt Vesuvius villa destroyed by volcano blast where famed Roman emperor may have died 2,000 years ago Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE luxurious but tragedy-stricken villa where the first Roman emperor, Augustus, is believed to have died has been unearthed after 2,000 years. Researchers from the University of Tokyo say there are a number of clues that suggest the posh villa belonged to Augustus, who lived between 63 BC and 14 AD. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The ruins of the villa, which were buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash, reveal luxuries only afforded to the ultra-wealthy at the time - namely, a private bath Credit: University of Japan 5 Amphora ceramic containers lined along a wall of a structure at the Somma Vesuviana site Credit: University of Japan 5 That number of furnaces has been called an exceptionally rare find by the archaeological community Credit: University of Tokyo The 3,650-square-meter villa located at Somma Vesuviana, at the northern foot of Mount Vesuvius, was destroyed on the day of the eruption in 79 AD. The famous buried city of Pompeii was located on the mountain's southern slope, and was also completely destroyed by the same eruption. The ruins of the villa, which were buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash, reveal luxuries only afforded to the ultra-wealthy at the time - namely, a private bath. It boasts five large furnaces, which are presumed to have heated an enormous bath. That number of furnaces has been called an exceptionally rare find by the archaeological community. Carbon found inside the furnace dates back to around the first century, and suggests they went cold not long after. "There has never been a case where five large furnaces have been excavated from an Italian site," Mariko Muramatsu, professor of Italian studies at the University of Tokyo, said. 5 The famous buried city of Pomepii was located on the mountain's southern slope, and was also completely destroyed by the same eruption Credit: University of Tokyo Muramatsu, who began an archaeological survey of the site in 2002, added: "It makes sense as an explanation that no one else but the emperor could make such a magnificent feat possible." The researchers noted that Augustus, who held immense power as the founder of the Roman Empire, may have used the building as a guesthouse. Mystery as body of footless Roman with KNIFE in back found at ancient fort That many furnaces would have heated a significant amount of water, which may have even been used to entertain influential guests. "It is almost certain that they were used to heat a large amount of water for a huge bath facility," said Masanori Aoyagi, former commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs and professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo. The researchers also said the bath was out of use around the same time Augustus died in 14 AD, and what appeared to be a large temple was later constructed on the site. 5 The researchers noted that Augustus, who held immense power as the founder of the Roman Empire, may have used the building as a guesthouse Credit: Getty Augustus' grave has never been found, but ancient records say he passed away at his villa northeast of Mount Vesuvius. Accounts from that period also say a memorial was built there in memory of his accomplishments - but the precise location of that villa has remained a mystery. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, researchers say another clue supporting their theories is the fact that the site is located more than 200 kilometres from Rome. "Augustus built a guesthouse with a huge bath beyond Roman citizens' scrutiny in a bid to show his greatness to aristocrats and military officers and have them feel the Pax Romana (Roman peace) in the bath," said Aoyagi, who served as the first project head of the research team. The research team has already begun excavations on the south side of the furnace in hopes of finding the remnants of ancient bath water.
ITV News
04-07-2025
- ITV News
Iron Age Roman settlement uncovered after rare sword find
An Iron Age Roman settlement has been discovered following a rare sword find, archaeologists have excavation near Willersey, Gloucestershire, has revealed what could be evidence of a Roman villa, marking a remarkable archaeological find that spans several centuries of British investigation began two years ago when metal detectorist, Glenn Manning, made an extraordinary discovery during a metal detecting rally. Glenn Manning, who was only on his second detecting expedition, uncovered two iron Roman cavalry said" 'Finding two swords in the same spot was amazing, the morning before the rally, I had a feeling I would find something special. I'm excited to find out more about them.' The swords were donated to the Corinium Museum in Cirencester, where they will form part of the museum's collection. Following the sword discovery, Historic England conducted geophysical surveys of the area, which revealed the possibility of extensive prehistoric and Roman remains. The subsequent excavations, carried out earlier this year, uncovered evidence of settlements spanning several centuries. The archaeological team discovered three or four Iron Age ring ditches, a substantial rectangular enclosure, and the remains of Roman limestone buildings, which could constitute a villa. Ian Barnes, senior archaeologist at Historic England, explained the significance of the find: 'This excavation provides valuable insights into the nature of settlement patterns from the Early Iron Age through to the Roman period in Gloucestershire. "This new evidence will help us to understand more about what happened around the period of the Roman Conquest, which must have been a tumultuous time.' The long swords, known as 'spatha,' were used by Roman cavalry from the early second century AD through to the third century AD. These weapons are contemporary with the villa, though archaeologists remain uncertain about how they came to be at the site. Peter Busby from Cotswold Archaeology praised the collaborative effort: 'I am very proud of how much our team of volunteers, professional archaeologists, and metal detectorists achieved in 15 days, despite the heavy January rain. "We turned a ploughed field, the swords, and geophysical anomalies into the story of a settlement spanning hundreds of years – the first stage in telling the history of these fields and their cavalry swords.'Further archaeological work is required before Historic England can make recommendations to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport regarding the site's protection as a scheduled Roman cavalry swords will be on display for public viewing at the Corinium Museum from 2nd August, offering visitors the opportunity to see these extraordinary artefacts that have unlocked centuries of local history.
