A rare opportunity to handle 2,000-year-old artefacts is on offer at Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Roman Baths.
The exclusive “day school”, on Saturday 9 November from 10am to 4pm, gives unique access to the Roman Baths’ collection of Roman metal and glass artefacts – so that you can get hands on with history.
Cat Jarman, the archaeologist leading the event along with Roman Baths Collections Manager Susan Fox, said: “These treasured artefacts really bring the social history and buildings of the Roman Baths and temple site to life. There is nothing quite like handling these original artefacts to understand what life was like 2,000 years ago in the Roman town of Aquae Sulis. And to do it in such an incredible setting as the Roman Baths makes this course a really unique experience.
The day school is a must for anyone interested in archaeology and Roman artefacts. You will get a chance to go beyond what you would normally experience on a museum visit, and actually learn in much more detail how these artefacts were manufactured and used. We’ll also be exploring the archaeological and conservation role that the Roman Baths plays in preserving these artefacts for the present and the future.”
Lectures on the day cover identification and interpretation, and are very hands-on with the opportunity to closely examine artefacts from the Roman Baths’ unique collection including wine goblets, perfume bottles and ornaments of the Gods.
Councillor Ben Stevens (Lib-Dem, Widcombe), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “The Roman Baths has a wide variety of objects that tell the story of our area in Roman times, and Bath & North East Somerset Council is pleased to offer this great opportunity for people to get hands-on with our local history.”
The “Roman Baths: Metal and Glass” day school costs £50 per person (or £40 for Discovery Cardholders). Spaces are limited and can be booked by e-mailingromanbaths_enquiries@bathnes.gov.uk or by calling 01225 477773.
