Are There Romans Under Your Playground?

Did all Roman soldiers have knobbly knees?
Legio II Living History Group are dressed up as soldiers from Roman times.
© Phil Sayer.

Playtime will never seem quite the same again for children at a school in North Wales. Archaeologists are digging up their playground to search for Roman remains.

Experts believe there could be precious evidence of life in Roman times buried close to Ysgol y Llys in Prestatyn. They already know that a Roman settlement used to stand where the school is built.

This mosaic was found in a Roman villa near Andover. Could there be one lurking under
Ysgol-y-Llys?
©The British Museum.

The remains of a Roman bathhouse and a jewellery-making workshop were found very close to the school many years ago. Pots and other artefacts have also been found close by.

The school is planning to build a new hall and car park in its grounds. Before work begins, archaeologists are digging in the area to make sure nothing exciting gets damaged or covered up.

There could be beautiful Roman jewels like this dragonesque brooch buried beneath the playground.
©The British Museum.

Show.me.uk spoke to Year Six children from Ysgol-y-Llys. We asked how they felt about the dig. "We are all very excited because they might find something" said one of the children.

They are a little anxious too. If something is found they wonder what might happen to the new school hall project.

The final comment is one for the football fans. "Our playing space has been restricted - no football."

One pupil's grandmother lives opposite the school. She believes that the ghost of a Roman soldier marches up and down by the side of her house!

The Romans ruled Britain for almost 500 years, finally leaving in 410 AD. They left all sorts of things behind when they left. These things give us clues to how life was at the time.

Museums all over the country have artefacts you can go and see.

The diggers would be over the moon to find anything like this Roman bronze gladiator.

©The British Museum.

While we wait to see if the archaeologists in Prestatyn come up with the goods, there are lots of ways to find out more about Romans on the web.

Here are a few ideas to get you going.

The treasures in our pictures are all at The British Museum in London. Their Children's Compass site is fun to explore and tells you all about their collection. Click on this link for Children's Compass.

The Museum of Antiquities in Newcastle has a great site all about Romans. The section called 'The Legacy of the Romans' is especially funny. Click on this link to check it out.

The Romans invaded southern England first but also made their way up to Scotland. This fun BBC site is all about the Romans in Scotland. Click on this link to explore See You See Me.