Summer Schools and Roman Goddesses

Would you like to find out what was it like to be a soldier in the Roman Army nearly 2000 years ago? What did they eat and wear? Where did they live and what jobs did they do?

This August, two summer schools for 8-12 year olds are taking place in the north-east of England. You will be able to find out the answers too all these questions and more with lots of hands on activities and experiences based on archaeological finds from Segedunum and Arbeia Roman Forts.

The dates for the summer schools are:

Wednesday 17th August at Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields

Thursday 25th August at Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend

Starting at 10am until 3pm it costs £20 for the fully facilitated day. Booking is essential.

To take part contact the Learning team at Segedunum on 0191 2784217 or learning@Segedunumromanfort.org.uk for further information. 

And if you can't make it for one of the summer schools why not visit Arbeia Roman Fort to see the newly discovered bronze statue of the Roman goddess Ceres!

Laura Spring from Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums has updated us on this exciting discovery:

Volunteers from the WallQuest community archaeology project and the Earthwatch Institute have made an amazing discovery at Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields.

The find is a beautifully crafted miniature bronze figure of the Roman goddess Ceres which is thought to be a mount from a larger piece of furniture. Ceres was the goddess of agriculture, grain and fertility which is a highly appropriate goddess for Arbeia because it was a supply base where thousands of tons of grain were stored in granaries to feed the army stationed along Hadrian’s Wall.

This is the second goddess that the WallQuest project has found at Arbeia in two years. In 2014, a local volunteer found a carved stone head of a protective goddess, or tutela.

Amanda Seim, the Earthwatch volunteer who found the Ceres figure, explained the moment she found the figure. “At first I didn’t believe the goddess was real since the condition seemed pristine and the detail was incredible, but then our site supervisor fell eerily-quiet triggering a hum of authentic excitement.”

Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “This is a marvellous discovery for South Tyneside.

“It is brilliant that discoveries such as this are still being made at Arbeia. Thousands of years after the site was used to support the army stationed along Hadrian’s Wall. They are the pieces that help to build a picture of the Borough’s rich Roman history."

“We would encourage people to take the opportunity over the summer holidays to pay a visit to Arbeia to see the bronze figure and learn about its origins and about the Roman goddess Ceres.”

Geoff Woodward, Museum Manager, said: “This is a really exciting and fitting discovery for us at Arbeia Roman Fort. I hope younger visitors in particular will be inspired to visit and join us for our summer school archaeology days.”

Visitors to Arbeia this summer will be able to see both of these newly discovered goddesses on display in the site Museum. The excavations, which are taking place just outside the south-west corner of the fort, can be viewed by visitors and will continue until September.