What's hiding underneath?
While on the dig, and when touring several Roman forts near Hadrian's Wall with Arbeia's archaeologists, we were instructed to look for the "humps and bumps" in the landscape. These contours are often clues to who and what came before us, and what may still remain beneath the surface.
Jennie and I were very much aware of changes and contours in the landscape as we hiked the wall.
See the ditch of the vallum?
Walking through Virulamium Park in St Albans, on our way to the Museum, we payed close attention to our surroundings.
Laid out in 50AD, Roman
Virulamian was the second largest city next to Londinium, or London. The 100 acre park now covers most of the Roman city, and when strolling through its grounds, we were very aware of "the humps and bumps" in the landscape. Much of the city was excavated and then covered up again to protect it.
Any guesses what this channel once was?
Who knows what this little boy might have found if he had a go with a pail and shovel!
The remains of the London Gate
This wall was part of the defense system surrounding Virulamium, and the London Gate served as a major entrance.
Local materials were always used. You can see the flint in addition to brick in this section of wall.
"And now for something completely different!" -- Monty Python
I loved this little amusement park right in the middle of the Roman ruins!
I'm dizzy just looking at it!
And now back to the Romans!
Virulamium Museum
My meeting at the Virulamium Museum surpassed all of my hopes and expectations, and was truly a highlight of the trip. Lasting nearly 90 minutes, Fiona, the Education Officer, shared many of the objects she uses during her school visits, demonstrated the line of questioning and probing she uses with children (she practiced on me!), and she had me help her set up on the floor a hands-on simulated "dig" she does with groups. Using fabric to represent soil layers, she places coins and objects from various time periods under each layer, with more recent items at the top and then working down through time. I can't wait to try it! I left with many curriculum resources, and, to my great surprise, Fiona presented me a few treasures to take home! She has a number of samples of excavated pottery and tile, which over time have lost their context. When the context, or exact location where an object is found, is lost, the object no longer has value. I am very excited to share these objects with both children and colleagues.
On my way out I had a chance to explore the museum a bit.
They have several amazing mosaics from Virulamium that are relatively intact.
Some of the tile Fiona gave to me are tesserae, or tile used in mosaics.
The museum had some wonderful examples of the "female finds" I spent time researching at Arbeia.
In a separate building within the park, a stunning hypocaust mosaic was left in situ, it's exact location.
And we think radiant floor heating is nice!
The park was filled with adorable rabbits munching away.
After a successful day, it was time to celebrate with an ice cream.
I don't know what they feed their cows, but their dairy products are DELICIOUS!
I couldn't let Jennie leave England without trying a 99 -- vanilla ice cream with a chocolate Cadbury Flake bar stuck in it.
On our way back to the cathedral for Evensong, we looked at this familiar spot with new eyes.
What lies beneath!
Evensong was lovely, with the afternoon light streaming through the windows of the cathedral.
One last stroll around the cathedral...
...and gardens, and we headed for home to get ready for the opening ceremony of the Olympics.
What's hiding underneath?
Jennie and I were very much aware of changes and contours in the landscape as we hiked the wall. 
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