Revisit Roman Arbeia Reconstruction Search: teacher s notes

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Roland Terry
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1 Revisit Roman Arbeia Reconstruction Search: teacher s notes Revisit Roman Arbeia is split into four parts, all of which can be downloaded from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums website: Gallery Search Tick: Fort site information Reconstruction Search A Story of Three Emperors How to use Reconstruction Search Use these worksheets in and around Arbeia s reconstructed buildings. There are three reconstructions at Arbeia; the west gate, barrack block and Commanding Officer s house. A plan of Arbeia can be downloaded from The answers to the questions can be found on page two. Please remember that only half of the Commanding Officer s house has been reconstructed. The house would have also contained a winter dining room, a stable, a kitchen and a private bath suite. Learning objectives What did the Roman fort look like? What were the living conditions like for the soldiers, centurions and Commanding Officer? Cautionary note Please do not lean on the walls in the reconstructions; the walls have been decorated with natural pigment and the dye can be transferred onto clothes. Suggested classroom activities Download A Story of Three Emperors. Learn about Emperor Septimius Severus and his family, who may have visited Arbeia. Borrow a box of replica and authentic Roman objects from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums. The Boxes of Delight are free of charge. More information can be found at 1

2 Answers to the Reconstruction Search 1. Wood, stone, windows, metal, tiles, writing and archway (not drain pipe, TV aerial, glass or plastic) 2. Allowed the soldiers to see far away (to spot any potential attacks) 3. Kitchen 4. Five (two bedrooms, lounge, kitchen and hall) 5. Three (hall, front room and back room) 6. Soldier s barrack: Centurion s barrack: Beds. Yes Beds. Yes Light switches. No Light switches. No Radiator... No Radiator... No Toilet. No Toilet. Yes Sofa.. No Sofa.. Yes TV. No TV. No Decoration No Decoration No Computer. No Computer. No 7. Summer Dining Room (the winter dining room has not been rebuilt) 8. Office 9. Commanding Officer s Bedroom 10. Living Room 11. Beds. Yes Light switches. No Radiator... No Toilet. No (this has not been rebuilt) Sofa.. Yes TV. No Decoration Yes Computer. No 2

3 Revisit Roman Arbeia: Reconstruction Search When you explore Arbeia you will find some reconstructions. A reconstruction is something, such as a building, that has been rebuilt to show people what it would have looked like in the past. Walk to the reconstructed west gate from the main entrance. This is what the outside of the fort would have looked like 2000 years ago. Before the Romans arrived in Britain, buildings were much smaller. The fort would have shown the local people how powerful the Romans were. 1. Read the labels around the photo of the west gate. Circle the ones you can see and draw an arrow to where they are on the west gate. There are four labels that should not be there. Windows TV aerial Glass Metal Tiles Writing Drain pipe Stone Archway Wood Plastic 2. Soldiers would have stood on top of the west gate; why do you think that it was built so high? 3

Go the reconstructed barrack block. A century of soldiers (80 men) would have lived in this block.

Up to eight soldiers lived in one barrack; that would be very crowded, and smelly!

How many rooms are in the centurion s barrack? 5. How many rooms are in a soldiers barrack? 6.

Yes / No Radiator... Yes / No Toilet. Yes / No Sofa.. Yes / No TV. Yes / No Decoration Yes / No Computer.

4 Go the reconstructed barrack block. A century of soldiers (80 men) would have lived in this block. A centurion was in charge of the men; he had a larger barrack compared to the rooms of the other soldiers. Up to eight soldiers lived in one barrack; that would be very crowded, and smelly! Explore the barrack block and answer the questions. 3. This is the centurion s toilet. Which room is it in? 4. How many rooms are in the centurion s barrack? 5. How many rooms are in a soldiers barrack? 6. Can you see any of these things in the barrack block?: Soldier s barrack: Beds. Yes / No Light switches. Yes / No Radiator... Yes / No Toilet. Yes / No Sofa.. Yes / No TV. Yes / No Decoration Yes / No Computer. Yes / No Centurion s barrack: Beds. Yes / No Light switches. Yes / No Radiator... Yes / No Toilet. Yes / No Sofa.. Yes / No TV. Yes / No Decoration Yes / No Computer. Yes / No 4

Go to the reconstructed Commanding Officer s house.

centurions at Arbeia so he was the most important man at the

Explore the Commanding Officer s house and try to answer

5 Go to the reconstructed Commanding Officer s house. The Commanding Officer was in charge of all the soldiers and centurions at Arbeia so he was the most important man at the fort. The Commanding Officer lived with his wife, their children and slaves. His wife ran the household, while he ran the fort. Explore the Commanding Officer s house and try to answer these questions. 7. What room is this? S D R 8. What room is this? O 9. What room is this? C O B 10. Which room is this? L R 5

6 11. Can you see any of these things in the Commanding Officer s house?: Beds. Yes / No Light switches. Yes / No Radiator... Yes / No Toilet. Yes / No Sofa.. Yes / No TV. Yes / No Decoration Yes / No Computer. Yes / No The Commanding Officer s house had 23 rooms! That s 18 more than a centurion, and 20 more than a soldier! If you were in the Roman army, who would you want to be?: a. Soldier b. Centurion c. Commanding Officer Why? 6

Revisit Roman Arbeia Fort site information: teacher s notes

Revisit Roman Arbeia Fort site information: teacher s notes Revisit Roman Arbeia is split into four parts, all of which can be downloaded from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums website: Gallery Search Tick: