British Museum Room 49 Worksheet

1. Sarcophagus

A) Who was this sarcophagus for?

B) Why was it not decorated at the back?

C) Name 3 images or objects you can see on the sarcophagus.

D) Discuss. How does this show the changes to British death customs? (Hint: would they have had a sarcophagus before Roman occupation?)

2. Pottery

A) Compare two different pots. One traditional British pottery and one Romano-British pottery. Draw them below.

B) Name 3 things that were stored in the pots.

3. Vindolanda tablets

A) Why was Claudia Severa writing to her sister Lepidina?

These tablets show communication between British military forts and the city of Rome. There was even a military fort in London!

B) Find the shopping list in the Vindolanda tablets. What foods can you identify?

C) What does this imply about the relationship between the Romans and British? Was it peaceful or hostile?

4. Perishable materials

A) Rank these materials from quickest to slowest to perish.

Stone, Wood, Leather

Read the information in Case 3 on perishable materials and answer the questions.

B) True or false? The Romans introduced woodworking to Britain.

C) Under what conditions can a perishable material like wood or leather survive? (See: child’s shoe)

D) The Romans brought new tools into existing industries in London. How did this contribute to the development of the city?