A fascinating presentation entitled 'You are what you eat: How isotopes can dish the dirt on you" was given by Dr Kate Farr at our May meeting. As a professional scientist, Kate was able to give a detailed but easy to follow account of what isotopes can reveal about the lives of those in the distant past. Her presentation also covered the forensic use of isotopes in a few recent criminal cases.
On Saturday 11th May we met at the Village Hall at Wall for a tour of
the Roman settlement of Letocetum. Our guide was Dr Mike Hodder, an
archaeologist who has a lifelong association with the site.
Mike
was keen to share his knowledge of the development of the camp which was
the precursor to the city of Lichfield. He was able to point out
features around the village which would probably have gone unnoticed to
the untrained eye and described in great detail how the site had grown
and then declined. Since parts of the settlement are still to be
investigated, we were happy to offer to carry out any geophysical survey
that might be needed.
The standing remains are impressive and
well worth a visit; parking is not too difficult and there is no charge
to visit the site. A small museum adjacent to the ruins has a
fascinating collection of Roman artefacts. The local volunteers deserve a
big thank you for maintaining the site, organising tours and looking
after the museum (and providing a very welcome cup of tea and slice of
cake at the end of our visit!).
A few of the artefacts on display in the museum