Romans 0: a pile of old stones
This photo was taken in 1924. It shows archaeologists excavating Folkestone Roman Villa on the town’s East Cliff. It may once have been the home of a wealthy Romano-British family.
In the photo the archaeologists have stopped work to look at a Roman roof tile they found.
The leader of the dig was a teacher called Samuel Winbolt. His daughter, Rosalind, worked with him and knew a lot about Roman pottery. Can you find those people in the photo?
In this photo from 1924, a group of visitors are having a guided tour of Folkestone Roman Villa.
If you know Folkestone, you might recognise the Martello Tower on the hill in the distance. Today there is a pitch and putt golf course there.
How many different rooms can you see in the remains of the villa?
Images of excavation of Roman villa courtesy of Kent County Council (Folkestone Library)
This photo of Folkestone Roman Villa was taken from a biplane in 1924. Can you spot the cliff edge at the bottom of the picture?
In those days Wear Bay Road at the top of the photo was just a dirt track. What do you think is happening to the part of the villa nearest the cliff?
The orange line (added to the photo recently) shows how much further the cliff had eroded by 2010. Why do you think this happens?
What will happen to the villa eventually?
Can you see them at work digging, and washing pottery finds at a table? Visitors are enjoying looking round, some with their dogs.
A replica amphora, a large Roman jar for storing wine or olive oil is propped against the fence in the background. Can you find it?