Do you write your name in books? Do you date items destined for the freezer? Names and patterns identify you as ‘the keeper’, or act as a reminder for an important event. It’s nothing new: the Romans valued their possessions, and left examples of personalisation on some of the uncovered objects at Vindolanda.
This small boxwood comb has been recycled from the original and now has only one set of teeth. Did a Roman soldier turn his comb into a gift to be worn by a woman as a hair decoration? Read more
Who was Atto and what was his job at Vindolanda? Was he bored when he carved his name into his work bench? Was it his bench that he did not want to share? Was he the cobbler who had sat for days repairing soldiers’ footwear? The punch marks certainly suggest that this bench was used for leatherwork... Read more
Have you ever met a peacock? Do you enjoy storing your personal belongings in interesting and attractive small containers? Find out why small boxes were popular in Roman times and why this one is decorated with a peacock? Read more
Why would a possible fishing basket have three iron keys hidden in it? This well preserved example of Roman basketry has a hidden story to tell! Read more
What is this object? Have any of you seen something like this before? See what we came up with. You might have other ideas...... Read more
These might be the original flip flop! Not all the shoes at Vindolanda are made from leather. The extensive Roman footwear collection includes wooden clogs which were worn in the bath house. Read more