Roman Thanet Revealed

By Lauren Figg, for the Trust for Thanet Archaeology

Digital Terrain Model of the same area, all vegetation stripped away.

‘Roman Thanet Revealed’ is a new exhibition at the Powell-Cotton Museum at Quex Park, Birchington. The exhibition was officially opened on September 1st and was entirely produced by volunteers. The Powell-Cotton Museum, supported by Friends of Quex, has provided a base for community curators, mainly from the Isle of Thanet Archaeological Society (IOTAS), to unleash their creativity through research and design.

The ribbon was cut by Roger Gale, MP for North Thanet, officially opening the exhibition. Among the guests were the Mayors of Broadstairs and Ramsgate, the head of Birchington Parish Council, and Ian Coulson, President of the KAS, along with many members of the local archaeological community, both professional and amateur. The Trust for Thanet Archaeology has been supporting IOTAS since the start of their work at the museum, with the help of a grant from the KAS Education Committee. Deputy Director Ges Moody provided an interesting introduction, explaining the background to the exhibition.

Prominent in the gallery is a map of Thanet in the Roman period, cut off from the mainland by the Wantsum Channel, setting the scene for stories of Thanet in Roman times. Items on display include finds from the KAS-sponsored training dig at the Abbey Farm Villa, Minster in Thanet, as well as Roman finds from all over the Isle. Walking around the exhibition, it’s clear that a lot of thought and research has gone into each display, enough to inspire anyone of any age. The enthusiasm of the volunteers is contagious, as was obvious from its spread amongst the guests during the evening.

See http://www.quexmuseum.org/ for more information.