Highworth Roman Pot

Dr Phil Parkes from Cardiff University analysed the staples on our Roman Pot from Highworth on 20 June 2011 at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham, where the pot is being conserved.

Analysis was carried out using a hand-held X-ray fluorescence analyzer with the aim of identifying the metal alloy used to make the staples. The spectra from the analyses showed that the staples consist of lead. A small amount of iron was also visible due to dirt on the surface of the staples.

Dr Phil Parkes says, 'The use of lead staples to repair vessels is well recorded in Roman Britain (Fulford and timby, 2001). Although more commonly associated with Samian Ware, it has occasionally been used with coarseware, where sherds can be found with a hole drilled near to a break edge for the staple repair.

The results of the analysis indicated that the vessel was repaired in Roman times.

Amazing Magic Lantern Show

A Magic Lantern Show by Patrick Furley will be held in the Art Gallery Friday 13 May 7.30 – 9.00 pm. This is a Museums at Night event.

It is an entertainment from the days before the advent of the cinema and television and gives a little bit of magic lantern history too!

Patrick will show many different kinds of magic lanterns and original slides from around 1860 to the 1920s.

Plus you can see ‘Picturing the Past’ exhibition

A journey through Swindon Museum’s collection of photographs and photographic equipment from magic lantern slides, Victorian family albums and stereoscopic viewers to digital technology including a great display of novelty cameras.

Exhibition is free
Talk Tickets: £4.50, £3.50 (Friends of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery)
Telephone: 01793 466556

Artist Ray Ward called in today to discuss an Open Studios project to be held at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery during this year's Swindon Open Studios in September.

On eight separate days between 7 September and 17 September Ray will stage 8 museum pop up exhibitions using quirky collections from elsewhere, one per day. The specific dates are:

7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17 September.

As we develop the idea, more news will appear in the blog so keep reading.

By the way, in the photograph, Ray is looking at a DVD he produced showing historic postcards from the museum collections which can be seen on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/swindonmuseumandartgallery

They show Swindon people and environs including outlying villages.