Somerset is getting ready for a Roman Invasion this saturday, thanks to a free archaeological open day organised by Bath and Camerton Archaeological Society (BACAS).
Ceri Lambdin from BACAS told This is Somerset: Its not every day that Roman soldiers appear in Somerset and children and adults will be amazed by the weight of the armour and the amount of kit a soldier had to carry every day. With only the remains of Roman civilisation left in Somerset, we aim to bring to life this exciting period of history and give children and adults an opportunity to experience what life was like during these times for themselves.
‘Invasion Day’ will be held at the archaeological site of Upper Row Farm, near Laverton in Somerset. Excavations at the site by BACAS, which have been ongoing for the past nine years, have so far uncovered an Iron Age and a Romano-British site. Traces of the foundations of a Roman villa are visible at the site, along with an Iron Age roundhouse. Guided tours of these sites will be available on the day. Findings from this summer’s excavation will also be on show.
The aim of the event is to give both adults and children a taste of what Britain was like during the Iron Age and later as the country came under Roman control. There will be opportunities to learn how to build a roundhouse, as well as trying on Roman armour and trying out your engineering skills by building a Roman arch.
Plan Your Move:
The invasion will take place at Upper Row Farm on Saturday 5th September, 10am till 5pm.
Upper Row Farm, Laverton BA2 7RB, in Somerset, is about 10km south of Bath (on mainline railways). The farm will be signposted on the day.
For further details, contact Ceri Lambdin on 01225 761026 or bathandcam@hotmail.com
Photos by BACAS.