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Description
In this programme we look at some of the evidence for the emergence of a Romano British 'Establishment' in the first century A.D. We shall be concentrating on two major archaeological sites - Bath ...and Fishbourne. Both show something of the grandeur of the new architecture and the rich world which opened to the Romano-British public. Art, religion, healing and sheer pleasure combined to transform the life of the politically vital part of the native population and to weld together immigrant and native into a provincial 'establishment'. This is not a guided tour of two famous sites; it is more about a way of looking at things. Both at Bath and Fishbourne we shall be seeing how some of the methods of archaeological inquiry outlined in the course material can be applied in practice. Professor Cunliffe has been responsible for the excavation of Fishbourne and for the recent archaeological work at Bath. Dr. Salway will be discussing with him some of his current theories about these two sites. This is not only a programme about how archaeological and historical techniques are used on actual sites but it is also about intellectual inquiry. Television shows how we look at the actual physical evidence and also how two archaeologists can differ as to the interpretation to be put on the same evidence. It is for the viewer to decide which are sound arguments and which are convincing interpretations in the light of evidence available.
Metadata describing this Open University video programme
Module code and title: A291, The early Roman empire and the rise of Christianity
Item code: A291; 06
First transmission date: 31-07-1974
Published: 1974
Rights Statement:
Restrictions on use:
Duration: 00:25:00
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Producer: Mary Hoskins
Contributors: Barry Cunliffe; Peter Salway
Publisher: BBC Open University
Keyword(s): Archaeology; Bath; Fishbourne
Footage description: Peter Salway opens the programme with a quotation from Tacitus, over a montage of specially drawn illustrations of Roman Britain. Speaking to camera in Bath, he introduces the programme, which looks at Roman remains in Fishbourne, and Bath. Aerial view of Bath; Bath Cathedral. Statues of Celtic deities and Minerva. Diagrams show the plan of the original temple of Sulis Minerva. Barry Cunliffe in conversation with Salway explains recent archaeological work on defining the complex. Stills of excavations. Montage of shots of Kings Bath. Cunliffe describes the original Roman building, with diagrams. Late 1880's photographs show the baths originally excavated. Finally in Bath they discuss the type of people who lived there, on the evidence of tombstone inscriptions etc: the mobile and cosmopolitan middle class. Map showing the Chichester area and location of Fishbourne. Aerial view of the site. Salway and Cunliffe discuss a model of a reconstruction of the Villa, covering the layout and gardens. They go on to discuss the formal gardens in more detail. Shot of a wall painting of the House of Livia in Naples Museum as a contrast. Cunliffe's interpretation of archaeological data on the layout and purpose of the main buildings is challenged by Salway. Shots of mosaic floor in North Wing. Finally they speculate on the likely owner of the villa.
Master spool number: 6HT/71509
Production number: 00525_3106
Videofinder number: 596
Available to public: no