Roman Saturnalia and our Christmas and its customs

Saturnalia by Antoine Callet

Dr Mark Lewis, Curator of the National Roman Legion Museum in Caerleon, explores the rich history and archaeology of Christmas on the Gwent Levels and elsewhere.

Why was Christmas effectively banned in 1644? Why is Christmas celebrated on the 25th December and why was this date highly significant in Roman times and earlier? This talk explores these and other Christmas-related questions.

More online talks
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The Great Crane Project

Damon Bridge, former Project Manager for The Great Crane Project, shares his insights and knowledge of one of this ground-breaking project to reintroduce an iconic wetland bird.

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The Roman Caldicot Level & Roman Caerleon

Dr Mark Lewis, curator of the National Roman Legion Museum, Amgueddfa Cymru, presents ‘The Roman Caldicot Level and Roman Caerleon’.

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The Newport Medieval Ship: The Fascinating Journey from Discovery to Future

Dr Toby Jones, curator of the Newport Medieval Ship Project, presents “The Newport Medieval Ship: The Fascinating Journey from Discovery to Future”.

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Folk music of Gwent

A talk with a difference combining musical folk history and live performance in the company of folk fiddle player, Katie Batchelor.

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After the Monks: The Tudor Levels

Tony Hopkins, former County Archivist at Gwent Archives, presents ‘After the Monks: The Tudor Levels’.

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Hunter Gatherers in the Severn Estuary: Ice Age to 4000BC

Professor Martin Bell presents ‘Hunter Gatherers in the Severn Estuary: Ice Age to 4000BC’.

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East Usk Lighthouse

Jeremy White, volunteer at Newport Wetlands, delves into the history of the East Usk Lighthouse and Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve.

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The Morgans of Tredegar House: Rise and fall

Historian Paul Busby explores the rise and fall of one of Wales's most durable and storied dynasties: the Morgans of Tredegar.

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Roman Saturnalia and our Christmas and its customs

Dr Mark Lewis presents “Roman Saturnalia and our Christmas and its customs”.

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The Newport Medieval Ship

Dr Toby Jones presents ‘The Newport Medieval Ship: Challenges of conservation, re-assembly and display’.

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On the front line: The Gwent Levels, sea level rise and a Roman wharf at Caerleon

Dr Mark Lewis presents ‘On the Front Line: The Gwent Levels, Sea Level Rise and a Roman Wharf at Caerleon’.

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The 'Mega-tides' of the Severn Estuary

John Burrows explores The ‘mega-tides’ of the Severn Estuary, which has one of the World’s most extreme tidal ranges.

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Archaeological field trip to Goldcliff

Professor Martin Bell presents a virtual archaeological field trip to Goldcliff.

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Medieval origins of the Gwent Levels

Professor Stephen Rippon presents ‘The Origins of the Gwent Levels drainage system in the medieval period’.

Lost Landscapes

Our Lost Landscapes project uses digital reconstructions to show the Levels landscape at different stages in its long history.

 

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