Research Summary
South Shields, England - Two millennia ago, the Roman Empire stretched all the way to northern England, which the Romans considered the very edge of civilization - and perhaps the world. Arbeia, the Roman fort overlooking the river and harbour from Lawe Top, became part of one of the largest and busiest supply depots in the northern Roman Empire, as it was less than four miles from Hadrian’s Wall, which the Empire built to mark its northern boundary and protect its settlements from the region’s native inhabitants such as the Brigantes and Picts. How did these cultures adapt to each other and coexist? The answers have intriguing parallels throughout world history and may hold important lessons for today’s cultures in contact - and sometimes conflict - with each other.
In the Sampler Weekend of Archaeology, you can help archaeologist Nick Hodgson (with Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums) unearth more of the secrets of the Roman fort of Arbeia, and handle some of the astonishing finds made at this site.
In the Archaeology Finds Weekend, you can help archaeologist Alex Croom (with Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums), prepare artefacts found on the site for study by specialists in order to better understand how ancient Romans and Europeans came into contact with each other - and were forever changed by the experience.
Meet the Scientists
Paul Bidwell
Tyne and Wear Museums
Paul Bidwell, M.A., L.L.B., F.S.A., is the Head of Archaeology at Tyne and Wear Museums. He has excavated widely, with a record of publication of major reports rivalled by few of his generation. He is perhaps best known in the UK for discovering and excavating the great baths in the fortress of the Second Legion in the city of Exeter, in Southwest England, in the early 1970s; for his work on Roman pottery; and for his many excavations on Hadrian’s Wall. Paul will not be working in the field with the volunteers but he will visit the site frequently during the excavation as he works within the Arbeia Museum complex and he will give a presentation during each expedition. All volunteers will have an opportunity to talk with him about the research.
Dr Nick Hodgson
Tyne and Wear Museums
Dr Hodgson, M.A., Ph.D., F.S.A., is the Principal Keeper of Archaeology at Tyne and Wear Museums. He has excavated many sites on the northern frontier in Britain, and has published numerous excavation reports and articles about Roman Britain and the Roman frontiers. Nick has led Earthwatch teams for more than 15 years, but will not be working in the field with the volunteers although he will visit the site frequently during the excavation and give a presentation during each expedition. All volunteers will have an opportunity to talk with him about the research.
Alex Croom
Alex Croom, B.A., is a specialist in Roman period finds and has published widely on aspects of archaeological finds, especially in the area of Roman pottery, finds, and costume, and manages post-excavation research and artefact study projects, including large scale research projects such as the Hadrian’s Wall ceramic database. Alex holds a BA (hons) in Archaeology from Newcastle University.