The Ancients How to Survive on Hadrian’s Wall
Jan 15, 2026
Join Tristan Hughes and guest Dr. Francis Mackintosh, a collections curator for English Heritage at Hadrian's Wall, as they delve into the fascinating lives of those on the Roman frontier. They discuss the complex motives behind Hadrian's Wall, the unique cultural identities of military garrisons, and the daily routines of soldiers and their families. Dr. Mackintosh reveals insights into local deities, communal meals, and even the evidence of crime and entertainment in the forts. Discover how these communities adapted and thrived in a changing world.
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Soldiers As Builders And Repairers
- Forts performed repair and construction roles; inscriptions record units rebuilding Hadrian's Wall.
- The army acted as a largely self-sufficient workforce for maintenance tasks.
The Shift From Communal To Individual Dining
- Roman dining shifted toward individual serving wares rather than communal Iron Age one-pot meals.
- Archaeology of tableware reveals changing social dining habits under Roman influence.
Roads, Rivers And Supply Priorities
- Logistics relied on maintained military roads and river transport; Corbridge acted as a regional hub.
- Transport costs often exceeded item value, so local provisioning mattered for staples.