There are five posters to accompany the collection as well as a variety of information cards for pupils to use. All the information comes from the various reports and surveys undertaken at Margidunum and the surrounding area. It is as accurate as possible but as survey methods become more subtle and sophisticated so our knowledge base increases and the picture changes. It is important to stress to your pupils that the understanding archaeologists have now of the site is constantly evolving; what may have been accepted 40 years ago is now under scrutiny. Encourage them to look at the evidence and make their own interpretations of the site. The Posters Poster 1: Margidunum, a lost town on the Fosse way Introduction to the site of Margidunum and its historical background; includes a map of Roman roads in Britain and an aerial photograph of the site. Poster 2: In search of Margidunum An outline of the archaeological research of the site, featuring a plan and archive photographs of the original dig. Poster 3: Roman Hairstyles This poster accompanies the hairstyling head and style ‘booklet’. The images come from Sir John Saone’s Museum in London. Faustina was the wife of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (reigned 161 –180 AD), Plautilla was married to Emperor Caracella (reigned 211–217 AD). Poster 4: Inside a Roman Townhouse This is a composite house based on various finds from the site at Margidunum. The painted plaster, mosaic flooring and heating system all indicate a degree of affluence amongst some members of the population. The workshop and yard show that this building was a business premises as well as a home. Houses like this may have had a frontage on to the Fosse Way to take advantage of the passing trade. Poster 5: Pots, Pots and more Pots! This poster highlights some of the processes involved in making Roman pottery. It is designed to be attached to the pottery box lid. Info Sheets Each theme has a card with images of related artefacts from the collection accompanied by a brief description of the object and its function. The following outline the resources we have assigned to each theme and give suggestions for related activities. Many of the resources for the activities are included and these are marked * but some will need additional materials to complete.
Artefacts in Trunk Writing tablets x 2 Stylus x 2 Ink well Large square bottle Bone gaming pieces x 20 Yellow glass gaming pieces x 10 Blue glass gaming pieces x 10 Horn dice shakers x 4 Die x 6 Gaming boards x 3 Goddess statuette Images on Disc Scales Potter at work Face pot slide show Adze Nails Roof tile Roof slate Gaming counters warrior god Coins with religious motifs Posters etc Inside a Roman Townhouse In Search of Margidunum Pots, Pots and more Pots! Archaeological evidence Roof tile (tegula) Ridge tile Floor tile Concrete (opus signum) Nails Box flue Activity Suggestions Play games Equipment: Die * Shaker * Counters * Rules of play * Make your own ink Equipment: Soot Gum Arabic (available from art suppliers) Vinegar Mixing pot and stirrer Instructions * Make a pinch pot Equipment: Self hardening clay Decorative stamps * *included
Artefacts in Trunk Dragonesque brooches x 2 Penannular brooches x 6 Bangles x 4 Twisted wire bangle Trumpet brooches x 2 Shoes x 2 pairs Sandals x 2 Spare belts x 2 COSTUMES Hanger 1 (man) Gallic coat Green tunic & cord Hanger 2 (child) Dark grey & cord Hanger 3 Long white tunic & cord Mauve peplos & cord Hanger 4 (woman) peplos with cord Hanger 5 (slave) Natural coloured tunic & cord Images on Disc Leather shoe Fibula (brooch) Ring Twisted wire bracelet Dragonesque brooch Posters etc Two booklets showing how to wear the clothes Archaeological evidence Brooch fragments Activity Suggestions Dressing up and role play Equipment: Costumes * Artefacts * Pottery sherds * Use the artefacts and costumes to encourage pupils to a persona; create dialogues relating to their status – wife, daughter, slave etc. Have a go at spinning Equipment: Wool * Spindle * Instructions * * included
Artefacts in Trunk Glass indented beaker Glass jug Glass flask Small square glass bottle Antler needles Weaving heddle x 3 Shuttles x 3 Drop spindles with bone whorls x 3 Drop spindles with clay whorls x 2 Mother goddess Artefacts in Pottery Box Carinated bowl/drinking cup Lamps x 2 Images on Disc Bucket and furniture handles Latch lifter Door hinge Box flue Painted wall plaster Mosaic Roman town house drawing Poster Inside a Roman Townhouse Archaeological evidence Lamp handle Nail Tesserae Plaster Tile Box flue fragment Activity Suggestions Braid weaving with a heddle Equipment: Heddle* Shuttle* Cotton embroidery thread Instructions * Votive offerings Equipment: Self-hardening clay Metal foil or metallic card The Romans made representative offerings to the gods in exchange for healing. For example, someone with earache might leave a clay ear at the household shrine. Ask pupils to design and create offerings for illnesses and events. * included
Artefacts in Trunk Cosmetic palette and spatula Cosmetic grinder Bronze cosmetic set Bone tweezers Bone scoop Antefix Styling head and Wooden x 2 Hairstyling ‘booklet’ Beauty Tips ‘booklet’ Hairpins – bone x 8 (2 each of 4 designs), x 4 Brass hand hair pin Small glass phial Artefacts in Pottery Box Face flagon Images on Disc Cosmetic grinder Pottery face plaque (antefix) Hairstyles from Plautilla, drawing and photograph Faustina, drawing and photograph Posters etc Hair poster Hair styling book Beauty tips book Activity Suggestions hairstyles Equipment: Styling head and clamp * Hairstyle booklet * Wooden comb * Hairpins * Make your own beauty products Equipment: Beauty tips booklet * Cosmetic grinder * Cosmetic palette * Sponges * Haematite * Beeswax Olive or almond oil Borax Rosewater Pottery face plaque Equipment: Pottery moulds x 4 (in pottery box)* Self hardening clay Paint * included
Once your pupils are familiar with the collection consider setting up a museum and invite parents and other classes to visit. Ideas to consider: The Collection What will go on display? How will artefacts be organised? Audience Who will be the audience? How will this influence the way the collection is set out? Labels What information should be included? How will it be presented? Consider paper and font colour, style and size. What are the most important things the audience should know? Do you want to explain what things were used for or do you want your visitors to think about it themselves? Leaflets and signs How will the Museum be promoted? Consider leaflets, posters, advertisements on school notice-boards and website, fliers for parents. Images on the accompanying CD be helpful here. Does it need a logo? Will there be a shop or café? A trunk is for travelling and as the collection travels around our region we hope that you will add to it in the following ways by creating a destination label for your school and applying it to the outside of the trunk by photographing the trunk and its contents on display in your school by encouraging your pupils to write and illustrate stories about the artefacts and their owners. Add these to the log book for everyone to enjoy. At the end of the year the University to host an exhibition based on the travels of the trunk which will include examples of the above. It is also our eventual aim to use the best of the stories about the artefacts as a basis for a children’s book. Finally, we would ask that you complete the accompanying evaluation form and return it to: Clare Pickersgill The University Museum Dept. of Archaeology University of Nottingham University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD
Bead necklaces x 2 Twisted wire bangle Bulla Additional belts x 3 Leg wrappings + thongs x 1 pair (puttees) Strigil Shoes (carbatinae) x 2 pairs Sandals (solae) x 2 pairs Antefix Small glass phial Strigil Sponge on a stick POTTERY BOX CONTENTS DRAWER 1 (Top) Mortarium Pestle Glass ball Large mortarium pot sherd Mats x 6 Supports x 2 FRONT DRAWER 2 (Bottom) Samian Ware mould Samian Ware bowl Samian Ware plate Samian Ware cup Clay stamps in box Samian Ware pot sherds x 3 FRONT DRAWER 3 (Top) Face pot Pie dish NeneValley Beaker Carinated bowl Pie dish pot sherd BACK DRAWER 4 (Left) Cooking pot Two pot sherds (one BACK DRAWER 5 (Right) Face flagon Face mould x 4