{"id":1484,"date":"2018-10-15T08:19:14","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T08:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/classicalstudies\/?p=1484"},"modified":"2018-10-15T08:19:14","modified_gmt":"2018-10-15T08:19:14","slug":"sensory-experience-in-romes-northern-provinces-a-report-by-colin-gough-and-kirstie-morey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/classicalstudies\/?p=1484","title":{"rendered":"Sensory Experience in Rome\u2019s Northern Provinces \u2013 a report by Colin Gough and Kirstie Morey"},"content":{"rendered":"

On the 6th<\/sup> October 2018, several members of the department, current and former PhD students, and a handful of MA Classical Studies<\/a> students attended a conference hosted by the Roman Society at Senate House in London. The theme for the day was Sensory Experience in Rome\u2019s Northern Provinces<\/em><\/a> and here, fresh from submitting their dissertations for A864, OU Classical Studies MA students Colin Gough and Kirstie Morey share their multisensory impressions of the day.<\/p>\n

Colin Gough<\/strong><\/p>\n

The one question that unites students, academics and anyone interested in Classical Studies is \u2018what was it like in classical times?\u2019 At the Senate House conference last Saturday we had the opportunity to experience some of the sensations of a Roman. What does the Roman ketchup that is garum<\/em>, made from putrefying fish, smell like? To this modern, westernised nose \u2013 not pleasant, and it would have taken real courage to use it as an edible additive. Yet it was so popular in Roman times that there was mass production. Did Roman men wear perfume? Thomas Derrick<\/a> (Leicester) not only gave a presentation on the multisensory approach to the impact of Roman settlements in the north but, during lunch demonstrated his (real) passion for Roman scents and perfumes. There is nothing like pouring olive oils with rosemary and pepper, scaping off the excess with a strigil<\/em> to get the authentic Roman post-bathing experience, even though I spent the rest of the afternoon smelling like focaccia. Patty Baker<\/a> (Kent) not only gave an interesting presentation on archaeological data to explore retrieving indigenous conceptions of flora but introduced the concept of experimental archaeology in recreating floral crowns from mosaic images in Britannia. These were passed around to give the sensory feel of manufacture and wearing resulting in some new profile pictures<\/a> on social media. We were treated to a fabulous talk by the author Caroline Lawrence<\/a> who, with a range of \u2018props\u2019 not only gave an insight into how she uses the sensorium to develop her books but gave us a hands-on experience of some of the sights, sounds, smells and feels of the Roman world.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/bigfridge224\/status\/1048530332868329472<\/p>\n

This brings me onto an important point, the value to Classical Studies of experientialism, that is, personally experiencing a location, environment or object. Naturally, our experiences will not be the same as an individual or group in classical times but it does give an opportunity to consider sociological changes and responses and, indeed, help formulate questions to be addressed. But it goes further. It opened my understanding of the different applications of Classical Studies. This was underpinned by the excellent talk by Mike Bishop. Twitter users may know him as @perlineamvalli<\/a>. He has walked the length of Hadrian\u2019s Wall over fifteen times and has produced two-minute soundtracks at each milecastle prompting the discussion of how the soundscape has changed (Editor\u2019s note: you can listen to them <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>!). This approach not only focusses the mind on the establishing a temporal frame but allows reconstruction of a likely soundscape in Roman times. Nicky Garland<\/a> (Newcastle) suggested physiological responses not available from empirical evidence that can be gained by a personally experienced, multisensory approach to the partially re-constructed Commanding Officers House<\/a> at South Shields. Sophie Jackson (MOLA) gave an interesting presentation on the modern history of the Bloomberg Mithraeum<\/a> and how consultants, design teams and scholars approached interpreting the archaeology to translate the atmosphere and ritual into a sensory experience for the 21st<\/sup> Century audience.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, because of space constraints, I have not named all the presenters or the subjects tackled (for more see Caroline\u2019s own blog<\/a>). However, to finish, I have two abiding memories. The enthusiasm of all who presented and the generosity they have in sharing their experience and knowledge. Using our imagination, new methodologies can be developed giving a greater insight into the past and engaging students of the future and the wider public. It has never been a better time to study classical times and sensory studies can be at the centre of all disciplines. Along with OU postgrad and WiP days, I think everyone should experience conferences \u2013 if nothing else it makes you appreciate how good we all are and how approachable and helpful other people can be.<\/p>\n

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Application of archaeology theory here at #SERNP2018<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/H2mqAys9t9<\/a><\/p>\n

— Adam Parker \ud83e\udd1f\ud83e\udd16 is in need of biscuits. (@adamarchaeology) October 6, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n