Incredible New Discoveries Made at Roman Vindolanda!

Situated roughly one mile south of Hadrian’s Wall is one of the great jewels of Roman and early medieval archaeology: Vindolanda. Over the past 50 years, annual excavations at this site have revealed incredible amounts of new information. Information that has not only shone more light on the site’s history, but also on the minutiae of everyday life for those people who lived on this north western frontier of the Roman Empire almost 2,000 years ago.

A plethora of stunning artefacts have been unearthed over the last half decade from Vindolanda: from the only Roman boxing gloves found from anywhere in the Roman Empire to early medieval Christian graffiti. What’s most exciting of all, however, is that there are still so many more exciting finds to be uncovered in the years ahead.

As 2021 nears it end, the Vindolanda team have just wrapped up their most recent excavation of the site. History Hit’s Tristan Hughes headed up to Vindolanda to see what discoveries they’ve made this year and the exciting prospects for the 2022 season. Featuring Dr Andrew Birley, Head of Excavations at Vindolanda, and Marta Alberta, Site Archaeologist at Vindolanda.

#Archaeology #RomanFort #AncientHistory #Vindolanda

[hansenbee]

Had I known how deeply I would fall in love with history as a teenager, I would have gone into the field of archeology for sure....<3

[Dusty]

A love how the lady with glasses, has a strong accent but knocking about with us geordie folk you can here the twang in a words , lol love it, and fantastic finds thanks for sharing

[davidoldboy]

I'm old now, but it has never failed to amaze me, especially in recent years, with visitor numbers booming to this world heritage site how little there is to see for them. The new visitor centre is great, as are all the museums but for a stranger, arriving possibly from abroad there is little to guide them from coast to coast, and I know, I have directed and taken many of them after being approached with 'where's the best place to go'? Most don't know about the reconstructions at Wallsend and South Shields, nor of the obscure temples, nor where the best forts are, they meander around looking for brown signs.
Wouldn't it be fantastic if some enterprising body built a reconstruction of a fort, with a section of wall and a milecastle?, not necessarily near the wall, but not too far. Somewhere accessible by car where families, schools and visitors have the opportunity to truly gaze in awe at what was occurring two thousand years ago. They could possibly man it with pseudo troops and cavalry in the summer as a bonus, any rich benefactors left? Mind you nowadays with all the permissions, regulations, and safety/environment requirements Hadrian probably wouldn't have bothered would he?

[helenamcginty]

First visited Vindolanda about 40 years ago. Have visited several times over the years. It never fails to surprise. Another favourite site my son and I always visited on our way back home was the little Mithraic temple at Carrawburgh.

[jez]

Visited amazing Vindolanda about 4 times over the years (the last time 2 weeks ago). The museum is wonderful and it has a lovely cafe. Visit the site and walk a section of Hadrian’s wall about a mile away.

[stephensmith]

Very interesting. Looking forward to hearing more about this discovery as the excavations continue.

[christopherlaurence]

Enjoyed this. Hope you do more archaeology episodes like this in the future.

[carolmarr]

Wonderful dedicated work to preserve the past.

[bluenoteone]

That is correct! The "Dark Ages" were anything but dark. Many magnificent un-reproducible cathedrals, art, writings, etc were accomplished. I could refer to it another way but that would be invite controversy; It is. indeed, one of the great misnomers of history.

[paolorossi]

I like your video is very interesting.Greetings from Rome, Italy

[willemventer]

I did not know that the fort has survived into the christian era. I like the video

[julianwarren]

I am NOT a history expert, but that carving of the man and the horse looks like a farmer to me...

[fuferito]

Marta Alberti (the one with glasses) has adopted the bad habit of her peers in referring to bronze as, 'copper alloy;' which, though factually correct, is nevertheless unnecessary and annoying.

[cannyexplorer]

There in September. Wow. Certainly you need more than a day to see all of it.

[pascalparise]

I looks to me it is not shaped like a rocket but a fish. The fish was the first symbol of the Catholic faith.

[ORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Its just rocks and stone??? Whats so good about that?? You can find old rocks anywhere in the UK ???

[davewatson]

Excuse me, British Celtic christianity was exported to Ireland and from there to Iona. At Vindolanda christianity would have therefore preceded Columba's exile for mass murder to Iona. Christianity amongst the Picts also preceded Columba.

[angeloargentieri]

Roma il più grandioo e glorioso impero della storia; la grandezza, la potenza, la magnificenza e la gloria di ROMA È AETERNA, ROMA INVICTA ET LUX MUNDI 💪💪💯

[logicaredux]

If the last artifact is from the Christian period, it could be a Palm Sunday depiction. Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

[anonymous]

Given that the bloke on that sandstone carving is wearing no trousers or shirt, in the NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND!, could it be that we have found the genetic origin of the modern day Georidie?