001 - Vindolanda Artist Residency
Photograph - Vindolanda Trust
Over the past two months, I’ve had the immense privilege of taking part in an artist residency at Vindolanda in Northumberland. For anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of visiting, Vindolanda is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Britain—a Roman fort and settlement that predates Hadrian’s Wall. Nestled within Northumberland’s beautifully rugged landscape, Vindolanda has been continuously excavated for decades, revealing an extraordinary collection of artefacts that provide rare glimpses into everyday life on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire.
Unlike many archaeological sites, Vindolanda is very much alive—new discoveries are made each year, thanks to its unique anaerobic soil conditions, which have preserved delicate organic materials like leather, textiles, and the famous Vindolanda writing tablets. These small wooden letters, written nearly 2,000 years ago, contain personal messages between soldiers, merchants, and their families, making them some of the most intimate records of Roman life ever found.
This residency has been an incredibly rewarding experience, not just because of the site itself, but because of the people who bring it to life. I want to extend a sincere and heartfelt thanks to all the staff and volunteers who have made me feel incredibly welcome and truly part of the team. The proposal that continues to take shape is the result of collaboration in its truest form—ideas fuelled by generous insights, conversations, time, and the freedom to explore. Their passion and knowledge have been invaluable, and I feel privileged to have been able to learn from them.
I’ve never written a blog before, but this residency has given me so much to reflect on that I wanted to find a way to document and share the experience. Writing this feels like an extension of the conversations I’ve had at Vindolanda—sharing ideas, questions, and discoveries as they unfold.
Being immersed in this landscape and its layered histories has been both inspiring and thought-provoking. Over the coming blog entries, I’ll be sharing insights from my time here—my research methods, discoveries, and reflections on how this ancient site continues to shape the stories we tell today.
DA