The Latest "Ancient" Coin From The Roman Fort At Vindolanda

Whoa yes that sounds fascinating! I'd be interested to hear how you were able to participate.

I am a retired Lutheran pastor. Back in 2010, when I was still in the parish, I was granted a sabbatical. I'd first read of Vindolana in an archaeology magazine from 2004 and thought this would be a great experience for part of my sabbatical.

I was an ancient history major in college and had longed dreamed of participating in a dig.

I read up on the excavations there, applied and was accepted. My wife and daughters came along. We were fortunate to rent Codley Gate, a delightful stone house right at the base of the hill on which Vindolanda sits. There was a Roman mile stone on the other side of the narrow lane, just across from where we stayed.

I excavated a room from a third century barracks my first week. My dig partner had the great luck of digging up a quern stone with the name "AFRICANVS" on it. The second week I worked on a paved open area from the second century and part of what might have been a fourth century Christian sanctuary on the site.

I would love to go back some day.

Thx for adding that additional explanation @paul. Sounds absolutely fascinating!