Romans 0: a pile of old stones

Romans 0b Samuel Wimbolt and his team at Folkestone Roman Villa in 1924

Who are the people in this old photo? What are they looking at?

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?

Romans 0c 1924 visitors have a tour - looking across the Roman Villa to Copt Point the Martello Tower

What are these people doing? What else can you see?

Romans 0a 1924 aerial view of Folkestone Roman Villa with line showing hoiw much the coastline had eroded by 2010

Where was this photo taken from? What can you see?

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?

Romans 0d Visitors to Folkestone Roman Villa dig in 2010

What is happening in this photo?

Archaeologists excavated the Folkestone Roman Villa site again in 2010, as part of the Folkestone Unearthed project. They were looking for more clues of what life was like in Roman times.

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?