Toilet seat, stool, spoon. Do these things sound familiar to you? Maybe our connection with the Romans is stronger than we think! Perhaps things from 2000 years ago are not so different and you would easily recognise them as those we use today.
Excavations, both in the fort and outside in the extra mural settlement, have unearthed many well-preserved wooden items. These may be objects that were in daily use in Roman homes and kitchens. Objects like combs which were used for personal grooming, spoons and spatulas used in food preparation, and even toys that today’s children would love to play with.
As a child, do you remember playing with a toy sword? Find out how we unearthed evidence that Roman children did too. Read more
Kitchen utensils have not changed much over 2000 years. The Romans also needed spoons to stir, spatulas to cook with, scoops to measure out ingredients and bowls to mix in. It is amazing to think that these wooden utensils were used in a kitchen somewhere on one of the forts at Vindolanda. Read more
How many of your parcels have been delivered to the wrong address? Nowadays, we either have a number or name to help identify our houses. Did the Romans have similar problems? Find out more. Read more
Why do stools have three legs? Have you memories of milking a cow or wish to learn about Roman cheese making? Find out more. Read more
Do you remember Nitty Nora, the school nurse who came to check small heads for head lice? Vindolanda has a large collection of boxwood hair combs which look remarkably like our nit combs of today. Read more
Basketry was a common craft in Roman times and wicker-work baskets were used for a multitude of everyday purposes. A round base with holes to take a framework of uprights rods around which the basketry could be woven. Find out why Margie finds them fascinating. Read more