Wondering and Wandering with Artifact and Site

I was very excited, but a little nervous to venture into London for our day at The British Museum on the first official day of the Olympics. For nearly a month I had been following the local news and hearing stories of srict, high security, predicted public transportation nightmares, and general inconvenience to anyone and everyone. We even chatted with locals in several train stations during our travels who said they were escaping to stay with family and friends as far from London as possible. To our great surprise, we found the opposite.

Trains and the underground ran frequently and efficiently. While security was everywhere you turned, it always felt calm and reassuring. Police and extra security service personnel were friendly and helpful. Purple-clad Olympic volunteers were on virtually every street corner greeting you and proactively asking if you needed help or directions. Salvation Army volunteers stood on church steps handing out complimentary bottles of water and city maps. I couldn't have felt safer and well attended to.

Banners featuring members of Team GB were everywhere.

The highly controversial "Games Lane" we had heard so much about. You'd face a hefty fine if you were caught driving in this lane without a ticket to an Olympic venue. I actually thought the concept of a lane dedicated to Olympic traffic wasn't a bad idea. The cyclists who lost their bike lane for the duration if the Olympics felt otherwise.

There were rumors a large protest was going to happen while we were in the area that day, and security was beefed up, but it never took place.

Our route to the Museum lead us through Tavistock Square.

One of London's many public squares, or small city parks, Tavistock Square was tragically the site of one of four suicide bombings that took place across London on July 7, 2005. They now refer to it as their 9/11.

The square is home to a peace garden, where Ghandi does indeed set a peaceful tone.

Virginia Wolf and her "Bloomsbury Group" friends made this area their home.

My British Museum contact sadly cancelled our appointment at the last minute, but suggested I stop by the families desk to pick up materials used with young children. Unfortunately the woman working the desk insisted I had to have children with me in order for her to share the materials. My explanation of who I was, why I was there, and even dropping the name of the Education Officer, fell on deaf ears. Sadly, I left the desk empty handed and a bit frustrated. But in hindsight, it was the only negative experience in 33 days, so I focused on that.

The Sutton Hoo helmet was on my list of must-sees.

The line never ceased for a glimpse of the Rosettta Stone.

My new friend, King Amenhotep III of Egypt. He dates to 1400 BC.

"Colossal" head of an unknown King. His torso remains where it was found.

Here's one of his arms. "Colossal" indeed!

There are so many undiscovered treasures just waiting to be unearthed around this amazing country. Here are a few that people have found while digging in their back gardens. Get digging, everyone!

Every bit of space is utilized. Roman mosaics on display in the stairwell.

I couldn't wait to get to the Roman collection. A wonderful display of oil lamps.

I have a replica to share with the kids.

Some of the famous writing tablets discovered at Vindolanda, one of my stops while exploring the Wall.

My favorite is a birthday party invitation.

Sadly, one last visit with Hadrian.

That's quite a potty chair! The poor child looks miserable.

Various wine and oil amphora, which we uncovered bits of during the dig. One lucky Earthwatcher uncovered an intact one before my team arrived.

A mortarium for food preparation, which we also uncovered bits off during the dig.

The closest I'll get to an Olympic gold medal!

Fun to see them up close.

On the way back to St Pancras to catch a train home, we passed this little shed set up outside the British Library. We were invited to come and have our picture taken with one of the torches from the Olympic torch relay. Apparently they charge the equivalent of $50 to have your picture taken with one of these in the Olympic Village. We were told the International Olympic Committee requires the host country to provide opportunities for those not attending the games to participate on some level, including pictures with the torch for FREE! You didn't have to twist my arm. It was surprisingly heavy!

The British and Olympic flags flying side by side.

A member of Team Espana playing tourist, too. Our guess was she was a runner!

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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.