Nigel's Photo Blog

This evening I am posting information and video on the magnificent painted walls from Lullingstone Roman Villa in S.E. England.     Lullingstone villa is located about 27 miles SE of London in/near Lullingstone Country Park, Kent. These restored areas of wall-painting are from a room in the villa which was evidently used for Christian worship in the late Roman period of 3rd/4th centuries AD.  One panel bears the Chi-Rho monogram, the first letters of Christ's name in Greek.This was a standard symbol of Christianity at this time. The other shows a series of figures at prayer. Christian priests still use the standing pose with raised hands when praying before a congregation. The walls are on display at the  British Museum in London . An accurate reconstruction of a Roman Villa can be found here .  

This evening, I am  providing an update to my 2022 post, principally to include a section on the monument to King Edward 1st who died in 1307. April 01, 2022 Today, I am reporting on the English village of Burgh-by-Sands (pop 1200). This is located on the southern side of the Anglo-Scottish border on the banks of the estuary known as the Solway Firth .  Solway Firth landscape near Burgh-by-Sands    The nearest major town is Carlisle , some seven miles to the east. Burgh-by-Sands is on the line of the Hadrian's Wall Path (hiking trail) and as such attracts considerable numbers of hikers and cyclists passing through.The local environment would also appeal to naturalists and photographers. History buffs would find the ancient church of interest and the former Roman era fort which housed a contingent of soldiers from North Africa. Close by is a monument to King Edward I of England who died at Burgh-by-Sands during the Scottish Wars of Inde...

  This afternoon I am reporting on  decorative glassware in Roman Britain . This follows a visit to the  British Museum in London .where an interesting selection of relevant items is on display. These items can be viewed in the video clip below. The video clip incorporates supporting narrative information. More information is provided below, the core of which has been obtained from a publication titled 'Life in Roman Britain' by Joan Alcock, ISBN 0-7524-3593-0.   Much of the glass would be  domestic ware, some of it made in the workshops of Caister by Norwich  (Norfolk) and Wilderspool (Cheshire), where fine silica sand is found.High quality work came from the Rhineland (Germany) where the Cologne and Trier workshops produced so-called snake-thread vessels, examples of which have been found in London and Canterbury . Some glass was wheel-cut; a handsome facet-cut vase survived in Banwell (Somerset). A fourth-century engraved glass vessel showing ...

  Introduction  This evening, I am posting information on the remarkable late-Roman gold jewellery and silver tableware found near Thetford, Norfolk, in 1979. Location is about 88 miles NE of London. Information on the Thetford Hoard   The jewellery, predominantly in pristine condition, reflects the fashion for the late 3rd century. It may have been produced by a single workshop, possibly in Roman Britain .  Inscriptions refer to an obscure Italian god, Faunus,not Christianity. The pagan nature of the hoard is unusual at this time due to anti-pagan legislation. Here is an inventory of the mid-late 4th century collection: 33 silver spoons 3 silver strainers 22 gold finger rings 4 gold bracelets 4 necklace pendants 5 gold chain necklaces 2 pairs of necklace-clasps 1 gold amulet 1 unmounted engraved gem 4 beads 1 gold belt buckle Reason for the concealment is not known. One possibility is the switch to Christianity accompanied by anti-pagan laws. This hoard is only 15 m...

  Introduction This evening, I am posting information on the Hemsworth Roman Villa in southern England with emphasis on a magnificent mosaic panel (from the villa) which is on display at the  British Museum in London . Information on the Hemsworth Venus Mosaic  The Hemsworth Villa was first located in 1831 but it seems that no action was taken at the time and agricultural work continued on the site until formal excavation took place in 1905-8. In the meantime continued deterioration of the archaeology occurred due to on-going agricultural work. The villa sits on a north facing slope of a chalk spur in the angle between two Roman roads which converge on Bradbury Rings. The early 20th century excavations suggest there may have been a main central block with projecting wings at each end, with a passage to another wing.This layout is fairly standard for 4th century luxury villas. Refer Chedworth , Brading and North Leigh .for examples. The villa is actually located at East...

  Tonight, I am re-posting my Corbridge page with emphasis on a magnificent example of Roman silverware (above). The item was actually found by a child on bank of nearby River Tyne in 1735. There are records of other Roman silver pieces found in the same area during 1731-1760 but these were probably melted down. River Tyne at Corbridge   The Corbridge hoard is one of many such hoards (e.g. Mildenhall)   which date to the late 4th century/early 5th century AD when the Romans withdrew from Britain leaving the former colony without defence. After some 350 years of integration within the Roman Empire the sudden withdrawal must have resulted in a traumatic effect on Britain's trade, security and social structures. At this time many hoards of silver and other valuables were hidden by the wealthy elite in the hope of later recovery which never happened. On the plus side the Roman withdrawal resulted in unlimited immigration of peoples from northern Europe and concomitant de...

This afternoon I am reporting on one of the most important early Christian remains from the Roman Empire. In fact, the roundel is probably the earliest known mosaic picture of Christ. The mosaic (8.1m x 5.2 m) formed part of a beautifully decorated pavement (side walk) which was found by accident in 1963. This was later lifted and transported to the British Museum in London . Hinton St Mary (pop 227) is located about 125 miles SW of London. Interestingly, this village is just 10 miles north of Blandford Forum which is the site of a known Roman settlement .  In the Roman Empire Christianity received legal status in AD 313 and became the official religion in AD380.  The mosaic has been assigned a date of the 4th century AD which is consistent with Rome's official recognition of Christianity. Here is a video clip of the exhibit in the British Museum.   Clicking on the icon in bottom right of the video will result in a full screen version.  More information on Roman Bri...

  Introduction This evening, I am reporting on the Mildenhall Treasure from the Roman era . Mildenhall is about 80 miles north of London , in East Anglia. Information on the Mildenhall Treasure  The Mildenhall Treasure is a large hoard of 34 masterpieces of Roman tableware silver from the fourth century AD. The objects are the most valuable from Roman Britain both artistically and by weight. The hoard was found at West Row near Mildenhall, Suffolk in 1942. There are over thirty items including the Great Dish. Total weight is over 8kg (18 lb).  The treasure comprises tableware of a style current in the 4th century AD and was probably concealed at some time in that century at the time Roman rule was coming to an end. Most of the objects are comparatively large and all are of very high workmanship. Here is the inventory: Two large serving platters. Two small decorated serving plates. One deep fluted bowl.  four large decorated bowls. Two small decorated bowls. Two small...

 Introduction This morning, my wife and myself attended a 'farmers market' at nearby Jackton Distillery. This was one of the few such markets in the Glasgow area which survived the overnight depredations of Storm Amy . Information on the products on offer.   To my mind the various products fall into the 'artisanal' category as opposed to direct connection with the land.However, we were impressed by the range and quality of goods on offer and returned home with bulging shopping bags. Bee and honey products  Shortbread and Oatcakes  Treats and miscellany Wine and related products from the distillery's French winery associate.   In addition to whisky, Jackton also produces beer.   Various butter options    Happy purveyor of tablet. This is a sugar rich product similar to fudge.     Samples   Pies, glorious pies!   More tablet. Food from the Indian sub-continent Overall, a worthwhile shopping experience.  More information Th...

 Auldhouse Burn in full spate. Overnight, here in Glasgow , we had experienced the force of Storm Amy which produced strong winds, high levels of precipitation and some minor structural damage. Aware that the aftermath of such events usually provides some useful photographic opportunities I went for a walk around our local country park, Rouken Glen, the results of which are shown here. Another view of Auldhouse Burn, benefiting from a shaft of sunlight.  Houston we have a problem! A blown down branch blocking the pathway.   Waterfall video which captures the full torrent of water cascading down Auldhouse Burn.    More Information   For more information on Scotland’s landscapes, it’s cities and much more please refer to the Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindl e.