quidquid bene dictum est ab ullo, meum est
I thought I’d mentioned this a few months ago when it first appeared in the Guardian (but maybe I just mentioned it on facebook or twitter) … whatever the case, Flavorwire has reprised (sort of) the Guardian‘s bit, but includes a slideshow of all the photos … not sure any of them really ‘catch my eye’, however (can’t decide if it’s the photography or the ‘interpretation’ or what) …
This is one I’ve been sitting on waiting for some coverage in English to share … Adrian Murdoch (via his blog) and Lindsay Powell (via facebook) first made us aware of German coverage of what is surely a spectacular find that will keep archaeologists busy for years … this a.m. we are getting some brief coverage from the Telegraph, but the coverage from the Local has more detail:
Archaeologists are celebrating the find of a Roman military camp which was a crucial link in Emperor Augustus’ conquest of Germany – after more than a century of looking for it.
The find, near the small town of Olfen not far from Münster near the Ruhr Valley, has already produced a collection of artefacts, not only pottery but also coins and clothing fasteners. These enabled researchers at the Westphalia-Lippe Municipal Association (LWL) to confirm what they had hoped.
“It’s a sensational discovery for Roman research in Westphalia,” LWL-director Wolfgang Kirsch said in a statement.
He said the newly-discovered Roman camp marks the end of a hunt that started more than 100 years ago to find the “missing link” in the chain of Roman camps on the Lippe River.
“Olfen was strategically very important for the legionaries during the Drusus campaigns in Germania,” LWL’s chief archaeologist Michael Rind said in a statement.
Roman soldiers used the camp from 11 to 7 B.C. as a base to control the river crossing – which makes the find one of the most important logistical landmarks of the Roman conquerors, he said.
Finding the camp – and its bits of buried treasure – was akin to a scavenger hunt, with clues unearthed slowly over the last century.
In 1890, archaeologists discovered a bronze military helmet near Olfen, leading archaeologists to the area. But it was not until earlier this year that volunteers discovered Roman pottery shards, which sparked action by the LWL. Aerial photography was used to try to identify potential remains of building works, while archaeologists and volunteers searched the area for artefacts which could confirm where the camp was.
They found enough to be sure – and also traced a moat surrounding the camp as well as evidence of a wooden wall that could have protected 1,000 legionaries from attack within an area equalling seven football fields.
The camp’s size – relatively small in comparison to other Roman military establishments in the area – along with the construction of its wood and earthen wall and location on the Lippe River, suggest it functioned as a supply depot, according to researchers.
Although the LWL is responsible for five other Roman military ruins along the Lippe, with discovery of some sites dating back to the 1800s, the new Olfen find will likely remain untouched for awhile.
“The monument has up to this point been allowed to lie in the ground widely undisturbed for over 2,000 years – an absolute rarity, and from an archaeological point of view, absolutely ideal.
“Our primary concern is to protect and preserve this monument for the future – and not, to completely excavate it as soon as possible,” Rind said in a statement. “The exploration of the camp will probably take several decades to complete.”
Discoveries from the association’s latest find will be on display from Saturday, October 29, at the LWL Roman Museum in Haltern. The pottery, coins and garment clips will be shown through the end of the year, along with the bronze helmet, the original discovery.
The Local also has a slideshow of some of the finds, including some very interesting Roman coins (but you have to turn your head to see them properly) … I’m sure we’ll get some more extensive coverage in the coming days. Adrian Murdoch has also updated his list of German sources in a followup blog post …
… or again, Up Over … from the Sydney Morning Herald:
THE world of a young person increasingly consists of the right here and the right now but their studies tell a different story.
A record number of high school students sat the ancient history HSC exam yesterday, now one of the most popular subjects among year 12 students.
The study of the antiquated world from Spartan society to Julius Caesar and the ancient city of Pompeii is attracting more students than modern history, which takes in topics such as World War I, the Northern Ireland conflict and Trotsky.
Advertisement: Story continues below”We know so much about modern history events from everything around us. It’s nice to learn about something completely out of our zone,” said Nicholas Saady, a student at Marcellin College in Randwick, where ancient history has become one of the most successful subjects. ”It’s like a completely different world,” said another student, Jack Watts.
More than 12,000 students sat the ancient history exam yesterday, making it the eighth most popular subject for year 12. Meanwhile, modern history has continued to slide down the ranks after being eclipsed by its ancient counterpart in 2004.
”It’s a matter of what currently interests students, a bit like fashion,” said Catherine Harnack, a history teacher from John Paul College in Coffs Harbour. ”I think the modern course is great and it is just being overshadowed because the current fascination with the very ancient past not only in Europe but also now in the Americas in films.”
She said the modern course was more politically oriented while ancient history blended political and social history. There is a perception that ancient is easier too, said Toni Hurley, who has taught the subject for 30 years.
”It’s accessible to a greater range of students and has the advantage of archaeology, which kids seem to adore,” she said.
Just last week we were reading: Classical Languages Doing Well Down Under … they seem to be doing something right down there.
I always feel like something is missing here for some reason:
ante diem vi kalendas novembres
rogueclassicism 