Evidence for life at Roman Richborough: Looking at finds.
1. Some finds were sorted into 3 categories
………………………………………….. …………………………………………
……………………………………….
2. We asked some questions as an archaeologist would
 Is it complete?
What is it made of?
 How was it made?
What shape might it have been?
 What was it used for?
Where was it used?
3. These are some things we discovered.
BONEY BITS
Animal bones and shells are evidence for……………………………………………………………
Leather was used for making soldiers’ ………………………………………………………………
POTS AND PANS
Pottery is evidence for……………………………………………………………………………
The red samian bowls, cups and dishes were used……………………………………………
A mortarium was used for ………………………………………………………………………………
BUILT TO LAST!
Roman buildings lasted longer than Iron Age ones because …………………………
They didn’t have wallpaper but they……………………………………. their walls
Who or what made an impression?!………………………………………………………………….
Canterbury Archaeological Trust/digIT/2009
Evidence for life at Roman Richborough: Looking at finds.
1. Some finds were sorted into 3 categories
animal bones/shell
pottery
buildings
2. We asked some questions as an archaeologist would
 Is it complete?
What is it made of?
 How was it made?
What shape might it have been?
 What was it used for?
Where was it used?
3. These are some things we discovered.
BONEY BITS
Animal bones and shells are evidence for farming, food and drink, pets,
materials people used (leather, wool)
Leather was used for making soldiers’ boots, tents, belts, straps etc
POTS AND PANS
Pottery is evidence for skills and crafts, materials people used, how they made
and served their food, trade (red samian pottery was brought over from Gaul)
The red samian bowls, cups and dishes were used by people living in the town at
Richborough (Rutupiae), probably by officers in the Roman army at their fort
HQ and by visitors who stayed at the building thought to be a kind of hotel for
important visitors. A wide variety of sweet and savoury dishes and wine was
served on samian pottery. The potters who made samian were very skilled.
A mortarium was used for grinding and mixing ingredients
BUILT TO LAST!
Roman buildings lasted longer than Iron Age ones because they were made with
strong bricks, tiles and different kinds of stone.
They didn’t have wallpaper but they painted their walls
Who or what made an impression?! A Roman child who trod on the clay brick
while the clay was still soft!
Canterbury Archaeological Trust/digIT/2009