06-23-2004, 11:02 AM
COLCHESTER MUSEUM PRESS RELEASE:<br>
<br>
<strong>Confirmed, its a Centurion!</strong><br>
We could feel it in our expert bones, but needed confirmation to be sure!<br>
<br>
A quantity of burnt bone from a ceramic cremation vessel at Colchester Museum was submitted for analysis at the Museum of London Specialist Services Archaeology section and the results are in.<br>
<br>
The laboratory report details the cremated remains were of Romano-British age. The cremation burial studied was of a single individual, a man, who died probably in his early thirties. He had lost at least one tooth in life and his spine showed some degenerative changes. Green staining on the left scapula suggests that at some time this shoulder was in contact with a copper alloy item of jewellery or some other object.<br>
<br>
It proves that the cremation is of Marcus Favonius Facilis who is believed to have been a member of the invading Roman army who died while serving at Colchester in the early years after the Roman conquest. The museum also has the very impressive tombstone of this centurion of the 20th Legion on display. The tombstone is a rare very well preserved example of roman art and thought to have been kicked over in the Boudican revolt of the town. It laid face down preserved in the earth until it's discovery in 1868. The tombstone marked the spot and lead to the discovery of the cremation vessel in the same area. Which is why museum experts concluded the two discoveries were connected.<br>
<br>
Philip Wise Chief Archaeologist Colchester Museums says ?Its an extremely important last piece of the jigsaw that completes the story. It confirms our assumptions and means that we can make the comfortable link between the tombstone, the cremation vessel and the human remains are all that of Marcus Favonius Fascilis.<br>
<br>
Thanks to the Colchester Archaeological Group (who funded the research), the findings make the Roman centurion's story more pertinent and has more impact for the visitors coming to enjoy Colchester's internationally renowned collections. The vessel containing the remains will go back on display in the Castle alongside the tombstone.<br>
<br>
Visitors during August 16-20 will have the added treat of meeting our Roman Legionary from the past. Visitors can find out more about armour and weapons, diet and entertainment in the army that conquered nearly the whole known world and helped to crush the rebellion of Queen Boudica and her horde of warrior Celts who had just burnt Colchester to the ground.<br>
<br>
<br>
NOTE TO EDITORS:<br>
<br>
For more information, please contact Marie Taylor, marketing officer, Colchester Borough Council ( 282927.<br>
<br>
Marie Taylor Marketing Officer<br>
Colchester Museums<br>
Museum Resource Centre<br>
14, Ryegate Road<br>
Colchester<br>
Essex CO1 1YG<br>
Tel 01206 282927<br>
Fax 01206 282925<br>
E-mail [email protected] <br>
[url=http://www.colchestermuseums.org.uk" target="top]www.colchestermuseums.org.uk[/url] <p></p><i></i>
<br>
<strong>Confirmed, its a Centurion!</strong><br>
We could feel it in our expert bones, but needed confirmation to be sure!<br>
<br>
A quantity of burnt bone from a ceramic cremation vessel at Colchester Museum was submitted for analysis at the Museum of London Specialist Services Archaeology section and the results are in.<br>
<br>
The laboratory report details the cremated remains were of Romano-British age. The cremation burial studied was of a single individual, a man, who died probably in his early thirties. He had lost at least one tooth in life and his spine showed some degenerative changes. Green staining on the left scapula suggests that at some time this shoulder was in contact with a copper alloy item of jewellery or some other object.<br>
<br>
It proves that the cremation is of Marcus Favonius Facilis who is believed to have been a member of the invading Roman army who died while serving at Colchester in the early years after the Roman conquest. The museum also has the very impressive tombstone of this centurion of the 20th Legion on display. The tombstone is a rare very well preserved example of roman art and thought to have been kicked over in the Boudican revolt of the town. It laid face down preserved in the earth until it's discovery in 1868. The tombstone marked the spot and lead to the discovery of the cremation vessel in the same area. Which is why museum experts concluded the two discoveries were connected.<br>
<br>
Philip Wise Chief Archaeologist Colchester Museums says ?Its an extremely important last piece of the jigsaw that completes the story. It confirms our assumptions and means that we can make the comfortable link between the tombstone, the cremation vessel and the human remains are all that of Marcus Favonius Fascilis.<br>
<br>
Thanks to the Colchester Archaeological Group (who funded the research), the findings make the Roman centurion's story more pertinent and has more impact for the visitors coming to enjoy Colchester's internationally renowned collections. The vessel containing the remains will go back on display in the Castle alongside the tombstone.<br>
<br>
Visitors during August 16-20 will have the added treat of meeting our Roman Legionary from the past. Visitors can find out more about armour and weapons, diet and entertainment in the army that conquered nearly the whole known world and helped to crush the rebellion of Queen Boudica and her horde of warrior Celts who had just burnt Colchester to the ground.<br>
<br>
<br>
NOTE TO EDITORS:<br>
<br>
For more information, please contact Marie Taylor, marketing officer, Colchester Borough Council ( 282927.<br>
<br>
Marie Taylor Marketing Officer<br>
Colchester Museums<br>
Museum Resource Centre<br>
14, Ryegate Road<br>
Colchester<br>
Essex CO1 1YG<br>
Tel 01206 282927<br>
Fax 01206 282925<br>
E-mail [email protected] <br>
[url=http://www.colchestermuseums.org.uk" target="top]www.colchestermuseums.org.uk[/url] <p></p><i></i>
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
