On Monday 6th October, Year 4 experienced what life might have been like during Roman times through a visit to Bignor Roman Villa. At this stunning downland site, they were able to see the spectacular remains of a Roman home and farm with world class mosaics.
The day was jam-packed with: a guided tour; workshops; turf mazes; a visit to the gift shop (always popular!); and a visual display of, and talk about, Roman clothing and battle attire.
The guided tour involved an introduction to the discovery of the site in 1811 and a visit to all eleven rooms which are open to the public. The children were also able to see a model of the villa as it would have stood in its completed state of some 65 rooms in the main complex, with another nine rooms located in various outbuildings.
As part of the tour, the children were introduced to: the Summer and Winter dinning rooms, the former with a fountain and the latter with hypocaust heating; the North Corridor mosaic, which extends some 24m; and the resident rabbit (which later on was spotted by a delighted Sophie).
The workshops gave the children a chance to try their hand at: using quern stones to make flour (which apparently tasted 'Delicious!'), making mosaics, using an abacus, spinning sheep wool ('Cool, but so smelly!'), taking rubbings of Roman tiles and using a wax tablet and stylus.
On our way back to the coach, there was a chance to visit the bath complex. Inside the changing area the children discovered a mosaic containing, in the centre, the head of the gorgon, Medusa. Thankfully, not children were turned to stone and all were then able to try out the 2 turf mazes!
P.S. It's a small world..... the current owner of Bignor Roman Villa is actually an Old Highfieldian!
