Those wonderful relics of real life in Vindolanda reminded me right away of the ideal business letter cited by Fowler. "Apolonius to Zeno. Greetings. You did right to send the chickpeas to Memphis. Farewell." A clay tablet found after thousands of years and used in Modern English Usage to ridicule the floral excrescences of "yours of the 18th ult received" and "Believe me sir your most obedient servant".
I'm with you. The people part of history is the most interesting and the most fun which is why we are still reading Pepys' diary and Boswell's writings and tearing up over birthday party invitations and baby shoes found in excavations in London.
Keep it up Annette. We're with you every (painful) step.
Ohhh, I loved learning about Vindo land by Hadrian's walk a few years ago... And wished I could have an opportunity to wander around, imagining businesses, barracks, homes, baths, and all the bits and pieces such a place would need! This is definitely the next best view, through your eyes/writing, Annette!! Those amazing letters!! Wow. An amazing project that I'm assuming is still going on! Thanks for the post about your experiences there. Cool!
The stones laid on the ground, single layer, reminded me of my youth. I had to be about 3 or 4 and I would make my house outline with rocks.
When I was a teacher, teaching World History, I would divide the kids into groups and they would do a small play being peasants, scribes, government officials, priests, and artisans for the Egyptian world. I always looked at ancient history and wondered what did the ordinary person do.
Those wonderful relics of real life in Vindolanda reminded me right away of the ideal business letter cited by Fowler. "Apolonius to Zeno. Greetings. You did right to send the chickpeas to Memphis. Farewell." A clay tablet found after thousands of years and used in Modern English Usage to ridicule the floral excrescences of "yours of the 18th ult received" and "Believe me sir your most obedient servant".
I'm with you. The people part of history is the most interesting and the most fun which is why we are still reading Pepys' diary and Boswell's writings and tearing up over birthday party invitations and baby shoes found in excavations in London.
Keep it up Annette. We're with you every (painful) step.
Oh, I love the direct chickpeas, Lynn! And thank you so much for your support. ❤️
Ohhh, I loved learning about Vindo land by Hadrian's walk a few years ago... And wished I could have an opportunity to wander around, imagining businesses, barracks, homes, baths, and all the bits and pieces such a place would need! This is definitely the next best view, through your eyes/writing, Annette!! Those amazing letters!! Wow. An amazing project that I'm assuming is still going on! Thanks for the post about your experiences there. Cool!
I'm on my cellphone and see I made a few typos here. Sigh. Just ignore the oddities. 🙄
No worries! Modern life 😂
Thanks, Celia! Yes, active digs every year, although the archaeologists were gone for the winter when we turned up. 😀
The stones laid on the ground, single layer, reminded me of my youth. I had to be about 3 or 4 and I would make my house outline with rocks.
When I was a teacher, teaching World History, I would divide the kids into groups and they would do a small play being peasants, scribes, government officials, priests, and artisans for the Egyptian world. I always looked at ancient history and wondered what did the ordinary person do.
Oh, what fun for your students, 'Berta! We know so little about ordinary people, but more and more in recent decades.
Another fascinating commentary. Thanks. Especially taken by the inclusion of "shared humanity" We certainly need that in today's world.
❤️