Robson Green at the opening of The Magna Project
On Saturday 22 June 2024, The Vindolanda Trust welcomed over 100 Friends and invited guests to celebrate the official opening of the £2.5m Magna Project at the Roman Army Museum.
The project, supported by £1.6m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has enabled a 5 year research excavation at the adjacent Roman fort of Magna along with an extension to the Roman Army Museum and creation of external activity space housing a sensory yurt.
A sculptural fire beacon, sited in the new external event space was designed by The FirePit Company, the cylindrical design is a nod to a Roman milestone. To mark this milestone occasion it was lit by The Vindolanda Trust Patron Robson Green.
Robson Green commented “The Magna Project is not just about digging in the dirt. It’s about breaking new ground both literally and metaphorically. Experienced archeologists, along with volunteers from all walks of life, are able to come here and have the opportunity to unearth pieces of history that will shed a profound light on the lives of so many people who once walked these very grounds”
The research excavation of Milecastle 46, Hadrian’s Wall vallum and its diversion along with Magna fort continues until 2027. Beyond the 5-year excavation a series of deep probes will remain in situ to monitor the impact of our changing climate on the buried archaeology.
The Roman Army Museum is open 7 days a week with an action packed events programme for summer including, archery, falconry, re-enactments and the opportunity to witness live archaeology.
