Hadrian's Wall's end 'Segedunum Museum'

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Romans soldiers march again in Segedunum Fort.

In AD 200 the Roman Army defended Hadrian's Wall and in AD 2000 Roman Life will once again begin at the end of the Wall at the Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths and Museum.

This new £9 million attraction includes:

The largest Roman museum on Hadrian's Wall that features site finds together with the latest computer interactive displays.
Amazing views of the ruins of one of the most completely excavated forts in the Empire from a spectacular 35 meter high viewing tower.
A working reconstructed Roman Bath-House - the only of its kind in Britain.
Original excavated remains of Hadrian's Wall and a reconstructed section of the wall. Ongoing archaeological excavations.
The launch of Segedunum Roman Fort, Bath House and Museum, in Wallsend is on Saturday 17 June 00. The last outpost on Hadrian's Wall it will open its gates for the first time in 1,600 years following a £9 Million development allowing visitors to experience what life was really like in Britain during the Roman occupation.
'Site News 2000"
Segedunum Opening Times
Between April 1st - August 31st.
Monday to Sunday - 10am - 5pm
Between September 1st - March 31st.
Monday to Sunday 10am - 3.30pm.
Admission Prices
Family Ticket - £8.50
Adults - £2.95
Children and Concessions - £1.95
Under Fours - Free
National Awards

Buddle Mine wins a National Industrial Archaeology Award. Also the discovery for the first time of a complete Roman Cavalry barracks has caused world wide archaeological interest in how Romans housed man and horse together within their barracks. The Museum and Fort are to be featured on National Television in programmes such as the Lottery Show and Architecture in Britain.

The Roman Fort of Segedunum was built in about AD 125 as part of an early modification to the original of Hadrian's Wall. Essentially the Wall was extended four miles east from it's original terminus in Newcastle to Wallsend. The fort remained in occupation until the end of the Roman rule in AD 410 and possibly for a century later at a smaller scale.

In the early 1970's Victorian housing was cleared from the site, allowing the University of Newcastle upon Tyne to begin the most comprehensive series of archaeological excavations of a Roman Fort anywhere in the Empire. The central headquarters building, the Principia, was consolidated for display and the fort walls, towers, gateways, and some roadways were laid out in paving. Over one million pounds has been expended on archaeological research and excavations to date.

How the Wall looked A 35 metre section of wall was excavated by Tyne and Wear Museums in 1991-2 and a full reconstruction of a section of Hadrian's Wall has been completed adjacent to the ruins. In 1987 Hadrian's Wall and it's associated features were designated a world heritage site. Consequently the eastern terminus fort at Segedunum and the excavated and reconstructed sections of the Wall must be considered as the most important historical monument to be found in the North Tyneside area, with both National and International significance.

To reflect the importance of the site and its location on the Roman Wall the new Segedunum Visitor Centre, Museum and Field Study Centre is designed with excellence in mind. The aim is to provide a striking and bold building that will be exciting for visitors to use and will incorporate first class facilities which will complement the significance of this World Heritage Site.

Successful bids were made to both European and Heritage Lottery funding totaling £8.0 million. A further £1million has been provided by other sources including NORTHUMBRIA WATER 'Kick start', BELLWAY URBAN REGENERATION, NORTH TYNESIDE CITY CHALLENGE, HERITAGE ARTS ABSA funding and NORTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL. The new facilities are expected to attract over 70,000 visitors a year and will have a special emphasis as an educational facility for school parties.

The Segedunum project includes:-

First class interactive Museum and display areas.
Largest Fort fully excavated in Britain with displays.
Multi Media auditorium.
Working Roman Bath House.
Excellent Terraced cafeteria and shop.
Archaeology Field Study Centre.
18th century Early Colliery remains, unique in Britain.
The Eastern Start of Hadrian's Wall.

The Building Design Agency as Project Managers have worked within a multi- disciplinary team closely functioning with Tyne and Wear Museums Service, Redman Design Associates (Museum exhibition consultants) and David Ash Partnership (Roman reconstruction specialists) to create the museum. £5million will be spent on converting two existing buildings, formerly belonging to Swan Hunter Ship Builders and constructing a new 'Crows Nest' viewing area. The museum will fully utilize interactive computer technology in order to bring Roman culture to life and to give the visitors a 'hands on' feel. A cafe is carefully positioned within the new link building to maximize the dramatic view across the site and along the River Tyne.

A working reconstruction of a Roman bath house will provide a unique insight into Roman life. The reconstruction will contain some unique features, including hypocaust heating system and the specification of 'Opus Signinum' concrete to Roman standards.

The Tower at the Fort

The centrepiece of the new complex will be the 33 metre crow's nest tower which will accommodate a smaller auditorium. Set against the dramatic backdrop visitors will view down upon the whole fort laid out in its full splendor directly upon the exact spot where it existed. Using IT technology the visitors will be able to view a detailed model of the Segedunum Fort and inspect specific areas in more detail. Graphics and video will be combined to demonstrate the layout of Segedunum, explain it's development and it's influences, and to draw links to modern day Wallsend.

Introducing this Segedunum experience will be the UKNETS free Web Site prepared by local web designers Derek, Flynn and Simon.
Tel: 0191- 2221950. Fax 0191-2221917. Email UKNETS@Yahoo.com

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