Page 87 - Hrobat Virloget, Katja, et al., eds. (2015). Stone narratives: heritage, mobility, performance. University of Primorska Press, Koper.
P. 87
public presentation of stone monuments
values – the history and process of archaeology along the Wall, protection, research, signif-
icance and value (Adkins & Mills, 2011, p. 30; Mills & Adkins, 2013, p. 177)
An important supplementary recommendation of the Framework is that World He-
ritage Sites such as Hadrian’s Wall should be much more explicit about their World He-
ritage status and about how they promote UNESCO’s core vision of achieving peaceful
co-existence and partnership between the nations of the world through respect, understan-
ding, tolerance and co-operation (Adkins & Mills, 2011, p. 30; Mills & Adkins, 2013, pp.
173–4). This agenda is currently most effectively expressed through the UNESCO ‘World
Heritage in Young Hands’ learning programme (http://whc.unesco.org/en/educationkit/
). As a site whose significance and interest lies in its conception as a barrier between people,
Hadrian’s Wall and the Frontiers of the Roman Empire have enormous potential for pro-
moting UNESCO’s vision (Mills, forthcoming).
The Hadrian’s Wall Interpretation Framework was published in 2011. The Framework
was developed in parallel with a major programme of investment to improve visitor facil-
ities across Hadrian’s Wall. Development of the Framework was iterative, informing and
being informed by the projects taking place at the Great North Museum (Hadrian’s Wall
Gallery), Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery (the Roman Frontier Gallery), Vindolan-
da, the Roman Army Museum, Housesteads). All of these investments had been complet-
ed by 2013 and the visitor offer across Hadrian’s Wall transformed in the process. There is
now a range of complementary experiences available for visitors, manifest at regional (Ty-
neside, Northumberland, north west Cumbria, Cumbrian coast) and site specific scales.
On urban Tyneside the focus of interpretation is the high class reconstructions of Ro-
man military buildings at Arbeia and Segedunum including barracks, commander’s house,
gatehouse, bath house and a section of Hadrian’s Wall, supported by the Hadrian’s Wall
gallery at the Great North Museum which provides an overview of Hadrian’s Wall, its con-
struction and functioning.
The Northumberland sites of Corbridge, Chesters, Housesteads and Vindolanda pro-
vide the classic offer of extensively excavated, well-preserved Roman sites with a wide varie-
ty of high class objects on display including the impressive collections of wood and leather
artefacts exhibited at Vindolanda and the world famous writing tablets, set mostly within
the dramatic and rugged landscape of the Northumberland National Park.
North west Cumbria is arguably now the most accessible and interesting part of Had-
rian’s Wall for families and non-specialists, comprising new, family friendly displays at the
Roman Frontier Gallery and the Roman Army Museum, and the fine section of the Wall,
its various installations and accompanying fort at Birdoswald. Set in a more bucolic land-
scape, the sites are easily accessible with convenient car parking nearby and high quality
support facilities such as the tea rooms at Lanercost and the childrens’ activity centre at
Walby Farm Park.
The Cumbrian coastal defences lack the history of excavation (and visible remains) of
other parts of the World Heritage Site and need investment to create a focal point of visitor
interest. Investment in tourism infrastructure is however on the way with physical access
improvements including cycling, walking and driving trails and an updated network of in-
formation panels. There is also an important programme of archaeological research in pro-
85
values – the history and process of archaeology along the Wall, protection, research, signif-
icance and value (Adkins & Mills, 2011, p. 30; Mills & Adkins, 2013, p. 177)
An important supplementary recommendation of the Framework is that World He-
ritage Sites such as Hadrian’s Wall should be much more explicit about their World He-
ritage status and about how they promote UNESCO’s core vision of achieving peaceful
co-existence and partnership between the nations of the world through respect, understan-
ding, tolerance and co-operation (Adkins & Mills, 2011, p. 30; Mills & Adkins, 2013, pp.
173–4). This agenda is currently most effectively expressed through the UNESCO ‘World
Heritage in Young Hands’ learning programme (http://whc.unesco.org/en/educationkit/
). As a site whose significance and interest lies in its conception as a barrier between people,
Hadrian’s Wall and the Frontiers of the Roman Empire have enormous potential for pro-
moting UNESCO’s vision (Mills, forthcoming).
The Hadrian’s Wall Interpretation Framework was published in 2011. The Framework
was developed in parallel with a major programme of investment to improve visitor facil-
ities across Hadrian’s Wall. Development of the Framework was iterative, informing and
being informed by the projects taking place at the Great North Museum (Hadrian’s Wall
Gallery), Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery (the Roman Frontier Gallery), Vindolan-
da, the Roman Army Museum, Housesteads). All of these investments had been complet-
ed by 2013 and the visitor offer across Hadrian’s Wall transformed in the process. There is
now a range of complementary experiences available for visitors, manifest at regional (Ty-
neside, Northumberland, north west Cumbria, Cumbrian coast) and site specific scales.
On urban Tyneside the focus of interpretation is the high class reconstructions of Ro-
man military buildings at Arbeia and Segedunum including barracks, commander’s house,
gatehouse, bath house and a section of Hadrian’s Wall, supported by the Hadrian’s Wall
gallery at the Great North Museum which provides an overview of Hadrian’s Wall, its con-
struction and functioning.
The Northumberland sites of Corbridge, Chesters, Housesteads and Vindolanda pro-
vide the classic offer of extensively excavated, well-preserved Roman sites with a wide varie-
ty of high class objects on display including the impressive collections of wood and leather
artefacts exhibited at Vindolanda and the world famous writing tablets, set mostly within
the dramatic and rugged landscape of the Northumberland National Park.
North west Cumbria is arguably now the most accessible and interesting part of Had-
rian’s Wall for families and non-specialists, comprising new, family friendly displays at the
Roman Frontier Gallery and the Roman Army Museum, and the fine section of the Wall,
its various installations and accompanying fort at Birdoswald. Set in a more bucolic land-
scape, the sites are easily accessible with convenient car parking nearby and high quality
support facilities such as the tea rooms at Lanercost and the childrens’ activity centre at
Walby Farm Park.
The Cumbrian coastal defences lack the history of excavation (and visible remains) of
other parts of the World Heritage Site and need investment to create a focal point of visitor
interest. Investment in tourism infrastructure is however on the way with physical access
improvements including cycling, walking and driving trails and an updated network of in-
formation panels. There is also an important programme of archaeological research in pro-
85
