Illuminating Hadrian's Wall - Top 10 Flickr Photographs from the Light Up
If you didn't make it to the Illumination of Hadrian's Wall (for instance, because you were attending the AD 410 - Then End of Roman Britain conference at the British Museum) you can (after you've read Sean's and Sam's tweet updates live from the light up of the Wall) still marvel at the sight of the Illumination by browsing the images that are one by one (processing takes time) posted to Flickr.
Here's my preliminary Top 10 of Hadrian's Wall Light Up Flickr Images - in no specific order.
Illuminating Hadrian's Wall - Cell 22
An awesome shot of the view along the lit up Hadrian's Wall from Cawfields by HybridUK (Chris Boundey). He writes: "This is the point where the helicopter was flying low and all of the flares where set off. The atmosphere was fantastic! Well done everyone!"
Illuminating Hadrian's Wall - The Romans
A less contemporary approach than the gas-powered beacons to fire things up for these Roman solders, beautifully captured by Keltic Rose Services. Definitely check out the overview shot as well, showing the lit wall in the distance. Shot at Bowness. Fi captured the same scene, a bit more grim-looking, which makes me question if those Roman will manage to fire their arrows all the way up to the wall. But well, maybe shooting down possibly returning tourists isn't the intention of the event. If I'm not mistaken, the soldiers in the scene are part of the Legio VIII.
Hadrian's Wall - Beacon
When looking at this shot by Mickyboyc, it is not hard to imagine how it would be like to spend a cold, dark night along the wall, with nothing to keep you warm but the beacons. A splendid capture!
The Writing on (Hadrian's) Wall
For those who were still in doubt if this was actually Hadrian's Wall, Paul Alsop decided to clear things up. 'Writing with light' is almost always astonishing, but the combination of the beacons in the background with this non-invasive (but very original) tagging of the Roman Wall, definitely deserves a listing in my Top 10.
Hadrian's Wall from Once Brewed
"Let's not even bother," must have been the reaction of possible invaders when faced with a sight such as here in Nige_B's photograph. It's a bit to steep to get over, and a bit to long to go around. A great capture of the 'magnitude' of Hadrian's Wall. (I'm just glad I'm on the right side of the Wall! ;)) Kenrum obviously visited the same spot.
Re-enactments at Housesteads Roman Fort
Jinn'n Tonic captured a fraternization that looks a bit dodgy - from a historical perspective. Can someone identify the warrior on the right, and tell me why the Roman should not throw him off the wall?
The 'Line of Light' in Northumberland
I've always imagined the area around Hadrian's Wall to be barren, and definitely not a nice area to live. (It must have been that way in the time of Roman Britian, when those areas did not have villas with floor-heating?) This photograph by CaldbeckBlue forces me to change my mind. I might not want to live there (still, to cold), but the eare near the Brocolitia Roman Fort would definitely do for a one-week holiday! Great shot from the northerly part of the wall in Northumberland. If you click the photograph above, and then on the Flickr page click 'all sizes', study the beacons still visible along the horizon. Wow!
Looking West in Northumberland
You wouldn't say on first look, but this is actually (almost) the exact same shot as the one above, taken by the same photographer. With this one I imagine - quite wrongly, I know - smoke rising from fired cannons and muskets. Despite my misconceptions about the era, still a great photograph! ;)
Illuminating Hadrian's Wall North of Hexham
This photograph by jjp9000 shows clearly what a success the event was, with people as well as cars lining up to attend. ;) The semi-steep climb through the fields, near a road with lots of cars in the distance reminds me of our walk to Stonehenge's Summer Solstice. No beacons for us there, though. :(
View from the Wall
My final selection is - another - photograph of MickyboyC (he has some more splendid ones, check out the set here). I would love to make a motivational poster out of it: "Ann, next time they light up Hadrian's Wall, attend!' ;)
These photographs (and Nicole's three 'phone snaps') definitely make me look forward to our Ancient World in London video that will focus on Hadrian's Wall (a bit far off? tons of good arguments as to why to include this event)! I'm terribly curious what footage Sam, Sean and Nicole brought home from their trip.
(I did a quick 'camera make' count on my Top 10: 6 Canon images, 2 Nikon images and two of uknown errr... provenance. Which obviously proves that Canon still rules the English photography landscape! Despite what my colleagues at Heritage Key might say. ;))
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Comments
in response to your question about the bowness photo, yes the romans were of the LEG VIII AUG, the housesteads query - i cant tell you the name of the people involved but the archer is a byzantine auxilliary which will have been drafted into units as specialised artillery troops so the roman would be better keeping her handy lol
Hehe, thanks, Matt. At least I was (partly) right. I guess the archer can stay on the wall, then, and be glad that I wasn't a Roman soldier. I would have definitely mistaken him for the enemy and send him flying down! ;)
no problem, incidentally i was the archer at the bowness on solway with the LEG VIII AUG and we as the group greatly enjoyed the night and the welcome from the people of bowness.
Ann - An excellent write-up and as for the only Nikon photographer of the group: thanks for using my pictures. It was fairly hard to capture the atmosphere, especially the shakily biting windchill, across the plains of Northumberland. Thank goodness for a tripod, or camera shake would have made them 'abstract' at best, and modern 'windstopper' clothing. A luxury the Roman's must have missed. There was however a clear sense of 'history' being made, and indeed continued. It struck me how friendly everyone was, and what a special occasion this really was as anticipation gripped before the beacons were lit. The results, inspiring.
Some great photos here. The shot from CaldbeckBlue looks like a military invasion of sorts!
Hi Caldbeckblue, yeah, I've been to the Stonehenge Summer Solstice, I can relate with cold and windy.. and then those qpeijqiewfj 'revellers' who don't want to stand still! ;) As for the Roman soldiers, I asssumed they'd dress for the weather, keeping official outfits and bare legs only for parade days? I must agree with the 'inspiring'. If the photographs are already, the event must have been astonishing to attend.
Thanks Ann & others - great photos! Summed up the event nicely (I was at Birdoswald). Around the Wall is a brilliant place for holidays, to live, whatever - dramatic, romantic, full of history and legends ... I've been there so many times, and never tire of it.
Ann this blog covers the amazing photos of this special event so nicely especially for the ones that couldn't make it to the event I really like the effect on the first one. Would love to try get the same light effect definetly will give it a try
Salvete citizens, in the picture I am representing an archer from Asyria (Hamien). There were 500 of these soldiers billated at Fort Magna (Carvoran). We know that they were here from AD period 122 to 163 AD. They were brought over by Hadrian due to the fact that they were specialists in combat, hunting and carpentry. They quite often fell off the wall from the Cavista beer intake! LOL May the Gods go with you! Sabinus
Salve! Suave te cognoscere est! (My Aramaic is even worse than my Latin! ;)) I'm terribly sorry to mistake you for one of the Picts! Combat, hunting and carpentry does indeed seem like a good combo of skills during Roman times. Maybe you can then answer the question I've been asking on Heritage Key for ages, but everybody ignores - where there ever bears or other Very Dangerous Big Game in Britain? I'm surprised to hear that the ingenious Romans did not put up railings to prevent their soldiers from dropping off! ;)
PS. Do you happen to have any acquaintances or far relatives in the IX Legio who can recount meeting Boudicca's troops?
I have no doubts, the atmosphere must be really fantastic. I'd love to be present on this fabulous event. Thanks for the photos. I've also found Lighting Up Hanrians Wall Video . It was very beautiful. This event had a huge success, so many people visited it.
I hope I'll be able to be at Hadrian Wall next year. It is very spectacular. I'm fond of reconstruction a lot and would like to take part in this interesting and important event. Best wishes from Mike http://elitanatsii.com
Nope, that's still nice.
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Would love to try get the same light effect definetly will give it a try
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<p><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" class="Apple-style-span">If you see the light – or at least want to enjoy one of the UK’s best long distance walks - there is no better way to experience Hadrian’s Wall than on foot, walking Coast to Coast on Hadrian’s Wall Path.</span></span></p>
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Maybe you can then answer the question I've been asking on Heritage Key for ages, but everybody ignores - where there ever bears or other Very Dangerous Big Game in Britain? I'm surprised to hear that the ingenious Romans did not put up railings to prevent their soldiers from dropping off! ;)
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<p>They were brought over by Hadrian due to the fact that they were specialists in combat, hunting and carpentry. They quite often fell off the wall from the Cavista beer intake! LOL May the Gods go with you! Sabinus</p>
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