MTP Newsletter_01_04.10.2017.indd

24 Merchant Taylors’ Prep School Newsletter - 04.10.2017 MTP Classics Y5 Verulamium Visit Thursday, 14th September saw MTP Y5 visiting VerulamiumMuseum, Park and Theatre. As Y5 begin Cambridge Latin Course, it is important that the boys get to handle Roman artefacts again, dress as we think Romans did, and understand a little more of how the site has changed over time. Having visited in Y3, the boys were excited about seeing the museum again, and they were treated to a fantastic handling session led by their excellent education officer in the teaching room. The boys worked hard at identifying real and replica objects, and imagining their purposes. In the museum itself, the Sandridge Hoard of 159 gold coins awed quite a few, and the boys were delighted to see some old favourites such as the lead coffin of ‘Postumus’ and the recreation, in bronze, of his head and face. In the Verulamium Park, the boys were fascinated by a hypocaust (heating system) still in situ after more than 1500 years. They contemplated the differences in life experience between that of the master whose room was heated and of the slave who stoked the furnace. Verulamium Theatre is the best preserved in Britain, and the boys were able to imagine what it might have looked like from spending time in that space, and from some reconstructive images. They were interested to learn how the site was altered even within the Roman period. Thanks to the boys for their enthusiasm, interest and thoughtful questions: their behaviour was superb. Thanks too to those members of staff who more than ably assisted: Mrs Dand e ker , Mr Greenish, M iss Marshall and Mr McConnell . Mr Waddington - Head of Classics MTP