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.
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, it is proposed that 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 the site. The objective through the architecture and the facilities
is to develop a reputation of quality which will attract visitors from
not only the immediate locality, but from further afield and abroad.
Successful bids were made by 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:-
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 centerpiece 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 a presentation that will impose a computer
model of the settlement directly upon the spot where it once existed. Using
VR technology the visitors will be able to 'fly' around the site 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.
Virtual Reality - A Brief Introduction
VR can be defined as a technology which enables a computer user to explore and to interact freely with 3D representations of objects and environments. Visitors at Segedunum's archaeological park will be given this unique insight of VR world as they are carried on a tour of Segedunum and nearby sites via the auditorium housed in the crow's nest tower. The auditorium will be capable of holding 34 visitors and is currently nearly complete and due to open on 17 June 2000.
Introducing this Segedunum experience will be the UKNETS free Web Site
prepared by local web designers Flynn and Simon.
Click the mail box
for YOUR free site by UKNETS@Yahoo.com