Blog: Learning

One of the most popular displays at the National Roman Legion Museum is a stone coffin that contains the skeleton of a Roman man. The coffin also contains the remains of grave goods that he would need for their next life, including the base of a shale bowl and fragments of a glass perfume or ointment bottle.

Step 17

Now we turn our attention to the coffin lid.

Like the base it was broken by the digger. Here it is with all the fragments lined up ready to be joined. Some areas are missing, but the gaps will allow people to see inside the coffin when it is put back on display.

Step 18

The top of the lid looks so uneven and eroded because acid rain soaked into the soil has dissolved the limestone. This process eventually leads to the formation of limestone caves in nature. Solution holes, the start of mini 'caves', can be seen in the lid.

Step 19

Adhesive alone may not be strong enough to keep the heavy fragments of stone together.

To help strengthen the bond, metal rods will be inserted across the join. Holes have to be drilled into the broken edges of the stone. This is a tense moment as any mistakes could cause further damage.

The stone could split or flake; we just don't know how it will react to the drilling!

Step 20

Thankfully all goes well and the drill makes light work of the task.

That pile of stone dust will also come in useful; we can mix it with the glue to help secure the rods.

Step 21

Another hole now has to be drilled in the edge of the adjoining fragment; this must match up perfectly to allow the rod to fit across the break.

First stage is to dab paint thickly around the freshly drilled hole.

Step 22

The fragment is then placed in position and pressure applied.

This has to be done quickly before the paint blobs dry, but also with care as we don't want paint smeared everywhere

Step 23

Success!

The paint has left a good imprint on the other fragment, so we know where to drill the second hole to fit the rod.

Step 24

The metal rods now have to be cut to the right length, about 7cm.

This was harder than we thought as the stainless steel is very tough. We had to stop several times as the blade kept heating up.

Only 6 more to go!

Step 25

With the metal rods in place within the join and epoxy glue applied, the two pieces are brought together.

Care is taken to align the edges before the two sections are held in place and the adhesive allowed to set.

Step 26

All stuck together now.

Hopefully the metal dowels will give the extra strength required, especially as we have to move the lid from the workshop in the basement to the gallery upstairs, where at last it can be reunited with its base.

Unfortunately we have no lift....any ideas!

Step 27

The only option is good old fashioned man power just like the Romans!

Here some of the team (our modern day Roman slaves) take a well deserved break after bringing one of the coffin lid fragments up the stairs.

Step 28

Before the lid is put in place the skeleton has to be laid out again. Being careful to get it right!

Unfortunately one item will be missing for a while and that's the skull. This is needed for analysis as we try and find out more about the man buried in the coffin 1800 years ago.

Step 29

Once everything is in place a new Perspex cover can be installed to support the stone fragments of the lid.

The Perspex is only 1cm thick so hopefully it will be robust enough to take the weight of the solid Bath stone blocks.

Step 30

Now the tricky task of installing the lid begins.

Thankfully all goes well and the Perspex proves strong enough to take the weight.

At last, 15 years since its discovery, the lid is once more back where it belongs, on top of the coffin.

Although the lid partially obscures the contents of the coffin, new lights will be installed to help illuminate the interior.

Step 31

The first phase of the redisplay is now complete, so in the second phase we turn our attention to the Skull.

Follow the blog as we attempt to learn more about the man buried in the coffin.

Where did he grow up and what did he look like?

Just thought I'd pop quick post up here with some photos of the cold weather at St Fagans. It's very cold but very pretty at the same time - especially at dawn and sunset (which you've probably noticed are only 5 minutes apart now).

If you feel like coming to the Christmas Nights this week please bring warm clothes and a torch. There's loads to see and do but it's not going to be warm! We'll be showing you how to make your own Christmas decorations using just newspapers, scissors, glue and the mystifying magic known as 'arts & crafts'.

Also, please feed the birds as they are cold. Look at that poor Robin. Freezing.

This week Ysgol Deganwy reported: 'Minus 11 is on Monday. Coldest day we've ever had in Deganwy school!' http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/2968

Wow that is so cold! Hope it's warmer in your classrooms. That is the the coldest record a school has ever sent in. 

Has your school been colder? If so, let me know.

Professor Plant 

How the weather has changed since my report last week!

Temperatures have dropped and there is snow all over the country. Many schools have closed and many others are reporting 'rain gauges - full of snow'!

Maesycwmmer Primary School cleverly melted the snow in their rain gauge then recorded it! See the comments below.

Last night, temperatures plummeted to the coldest on record for November. In mid Wales, a record minimum of -18C (0F) was reached at Llysdinam, in Powys. Dr. Fred Slater reported: ‘I’ve been diligently recording the weather at Llysdinam Field Centre for the last 30 years – last night was the coldest on record”.

If you are able to get into school please send in your records and any snowy pictures you may have.

This cheeky little Robin reminded me of how hungry the birds are at this time of year. He came right up close to me this morning at St Fagans. Luckily, I had my lunch box so I gave him a few crumbs in exchange for a few close up pics.

If you would like to help the birds this winter remember to put some bird food out in your school or garden. I made some fat balls at the weekend. It was easy to do and good fun.

For details on how to make bird cakes and fat balls see http://bit.ly/i7mdNN

If you would like a good spot to watch birds why not visit our new bird hide at St.Fagans http://bit.ly/dmF0Ym

Professor Plant.

Here are some of your questions and comments.

Here are some very good questions from some very good scientists! Plus many more comments from schools below.

Oakfield Primary School asked: 'What is the tallest daffodil ever recorded in this experiment'? The tallest was recorded by Ysgol Sant Dunawd on the 15/4/2010. It was a whopping 80cms tall!

Ysgol Nant Y Coed asked: 'If these results are similar to this time last year?' A very good question. I've answered this question locally for Nant y Coed, for Wales and looked at the long term patterns.

Locally at Nant Y Coed school: On Average the first two weeks in November 2010 had less rain and were warmer than in 2009.

Rainfall: 2009 - 20.9mm. 2010 - 14.6mm.

Temperature: 2009 - 7.7degC. 2010 - 14degC.  

Was the pattern the same in your school?

Study 2010 results: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/2968/ 

Study 2009 results: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/2952/

For Wales: This October was slightly colder than last year and had about the same amount of rain as in 2009.

Mean temperature in 2009 11deg C and 2010 9.8degC.   

Mean rainfall 128.3mm in 2009 and 123.8mm in 2010.

Looking at the long-term patterns: The monthly average for October between 1971-2000 was 6.5degC. The last two Octobers have been much warmer in comparison.

See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/wales.html  

Have any schools had snow yet? If so let me know.

Many thanks. Professor Plant.