Page 88 - Hrobat Virloget, Katja, et al., eds. (2015). Stone narratives: heritage, mobility, performance. University of Primorska Press, Koper.
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stone narratives
gress at several sites which may provide a catalyst for investment in interpretation (Haynes
& Wilmott, 2011).
The extent to which these developments reflect or have explicitly adopted the prin-
ciples and thematic structure advocated in the Interpretation Framework varies. The sites
and museums across Hadrian’s Wall are managed by a range of different organisations,
each with its own views on interpretation. Currently the best and most comprehensive ex-
pressions of the approaches advocated in the Framework are to be found at the Roman
Frontier Gallery, the Roman Army Museum and Vindolanda. Both the Roman Frontier
Gallery and the Roman Army Museum are underpinned by strong, explicit and comple-
mentary thematic structures and are very family-friendly in their approach, incorporating a
variety of interactive activities and media to support powerful narratives. The thematic ap-
proach is less evident at Vindolanda. Here there is a contrasting focus on display of quan-
tities of the stunning and fascinating objects revealed through the ongoing programme
of excavation which annually attracts hundreds of volunteers and is a powerful attractor
for visitors. All three museums have received Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence awards
since the new galleries opened in 2011.
The Roman Frontier Gallery at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in Carlisle
is currently the most explicit expression of the approaches advocated in the Interpretation
Framework and is presented below as a case study.
Applying the principles of Heritage Interpretation 2
– the Roman Frontier Gallery
The Roman Frontier Gallery tells the story of how Hadrian’s Wall fits into the story of the
Roman occupation of Britain – it explores the political, economic and social context of the
occupation and of the establishment and evolution of the frontier from the arrival of the
Roman army in the north of Britain in the later first century AD to the end of Roman Im-
perial rule in the early fifth century. It also explores the resonance of the Roman frontier
with modern frontiers both as a means of enhancing understanding of the Wall in its hi-
storical context and of exploring and promoting UNESCO values behind the concept of
World Heritage (Mills et al., 2013, pp. 182–186).
Development of the concept for the gallery and for its thematic structure was found-
ed in the particular strengths of the Roman collections at Tullie House and the nature of
the Roman settlement at Carlisle which they reflect. Roman Carlisle was the major urban
centre on Hadrian’s Wall and in the north of England. It was the only urban centre in the
north to be granted civitas status. The collections reflect the cosmopolitan and commer-
cial nature of urban life and the juxtaposition of Roman and native traditions. More clear-
ly than anywhere else along the Wall, they allow us to explore civilian as well as military
life. The collections also cover the whole period of the Roman occupation of the north of
England, from the first arrival of the Emperor Vespasian’s troops in the winter of ad 72/73
and the construction of the first fort at Carlisle, to the rebellion and temporary creation
of the Gallic Empire under Carausius, formerly Governor of Britannia, in the fourth cen-
tury and whose name survives on an upturned milestone. The collections include many
well-preserved wooden and leather objects including writing tablets, shoes and fragments
of textiles.
86
gress at several sites which may provide a catalyst for investment in interpretation (Haynes
& Wilmott, 2011).
The extent to which these developments reflect or have explicitly adopted the prin-
ciples and thematic structure advocated in the Interpretation Framework varies. The sites
and museums across Hadrian’s Wall are managed by a range of different organisations,
each with its own views on interpretation. Currently the best and most comprehensive ex-
pressions of the approaches advocated in the Framework are to be found at the Roman
Frontier Gallery, the Roman Army Museum and Vindolanda. Both the Roman Frontier
Gallery and the Roman Army Museum are underpinned by strong, explicit and comple-
mentary thematic structures and are very family-friendly in their approach, incorporating a
variety of interactive activities and media to support powerful narratives. The thematic ap-
proach is less evident at Vindolanda. Here there is a contrasting focus on display of quan-
tities of the stunning and fascinating objects revealed through the ongoing programme
of excavation which annually attracts hundreds of volunteers and is a powerful attractor
for visitors. All three museums have received Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence awards
since the new galleries opened in 2011.
The Roman Frontier Gallery at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in Carlisle
is currently the most explicit expression of the approaches advocated in the Interpretation
Framework and is presented below as a case study.
Applying the principles of Heritage Interpretation 2
– the Roman Frontier Gallery
The Roman Frontier Gallery tells the story of how Hadrian’s Wall fits into the story of the
Roman occupation of Britain – it explores the political, economic and social context of the
occupation and of the establishment and evolution of the frontier from the arrival of the
Roman army in the north of Britain in the later first century AD to the end of Roman Im-
perial rule in the early fifth century. It also explores the resonance of the Roman frontier
with modern frontiers both as a means of enhancing understanding of the Wall in its hi-
storical context and of exploring and promoting UNESCO values behind the concept of
World Heritage (Mills et al., 2013, pp. 182–186).
Development of the concept for the gallery and for its thematic structure was found-
ed in the particular strengths of the Roman collections at Tullie House and the nature of
the Roman settlement at Carlisle which they reflect. Roman Carlisle was the major urban
centre on Hadrian’s Wall and in the north of England. It was the only urban centre in the
north to be granted civitas status. The collections reflect the cosmopolitan and commer-
cial nature of urban life and the juxtaposition of Roman and native traditions. More clear-
ly than anywhere else along the Wall, they allow us to explore civilian as well as military
life. The collections also cover the whole period of the Roman occupation of the north of
England, from the first arrival of the Emperor Vespasian’s troops in the winter of ad 72/73
and the construction of the first fort at Carlisle, to the rebellion and temporary creation
of the Gallic Empire under Carausius, formerly Governor of Britannia, in the fourth cen-
tury and whose name survives on an upturned milestone. The collections include many
well-preserved wooden and leather objects including writing tablets, shoes and fragments
of textiles.
86
