Rome wasn't built in a day

18 January 2011

2000 years ago, the Romans transformed Britain by building straight roads, spectacular aqueducts and magnificent cities.  The countryside was also studded with luxurious villas.  But today only ruins remain.

Now, six skilled builders are about to change that.  In just six months they'll try to construct an authentic Roman villa at Wroxeter in Shropshire where once a great Roman city stood.  This monumental venture will provide a unique insight into Roman technology and the way they lived.  The builders will be putting to the test archaeologists theories about how the Romans really built in a venture of enormous ambition.

The villa is being constructed for English Heritage, who will open it to the public as a visitor centre. It will be a showcase of Roman ingenuity, boasting underfloor heating, a plunge pool, frescos and mosaics.  In order to complete the tasks the builders will have to transform themselves into Roman craftsmen; using where possible only tools and materials know to the Romans. They will have to master an array of ancient skills and will be aided by a manual on Roman building written in 25BC by the engineer Vitruvius.

Plumber Kevin says; "We're going to be doing this from scratch with their methods. And at the end of the day, we're going to stand back and say we did that with just hands and hard work and sweat."

The six modern builders hail from across Britain and are skilled in their own trades.  They are foreman Jim, plumber Kevin, plasterer Tim, carpenter Fred, brickie Darren and labourer Ben.   They will be responsible for the building process and assisted by archaeologist Professor Dai Morgan Evans.

Building work will include everything from giant timber frames to tiny mosaics and Roman glass windows. Involved in the build are 26 tonnes of plaster, 200,000 tesserae for the mosaic, 150 tonnes of sandstone bricks faced by hand, 15 tonnes of lime mortar, over 30 tonnes of oak, 1500 hand cut joints in the timber frame and 2,600 handmade clay roof tiles.

The series will offer a real insight into how the Romans built and lived. As the build progresses local volunteers become involved in helping the builders, including school children and WI members. 

Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: "The series is immensely entertaining and an eye-opener. What a great way to approach history.  I urge everyone to come to Wroxeter and see for themselves the remarkable replica they have built and appreciate the energy and ingenuity that defined so much of the Roman era."

Production Company
Darlow Smithson Productions

Commissioning Editor
Julia Harrington

Wroxeter Visiting Information
The Roman Villa at Wroxeter will be open to the public from Saturday 19th February, daily from 10am.  For further details on this, our events programme and the site, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/wroxeter.

Wroxeter, near Shrewsbury was the fourth largest city in Roman Britain.  It began as a legionary fortress and later developed into a thriving civilian city, populated by retired soldiers and traders.  Today you can see the remains of the impressive 2nd century municipal baths and visit the site museum to understand how the city worked in its heyday.