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Roman Mediterranean Shipping

Roman Ship at Anchor (c) Julian Whitewright Some of the learners on the course have requested more information about the types of ships in the Roman Mediterranean. The diverse ships and boats at Portus itself would have ranged from giant long-distance merchant ships, through vessels engaged in coastal trade, to small fishing boats capable of travelling only a few miles. In addition, there would have been many different types of vessel present, dedicated to the service of the port itself. Continue reading →

Roman ships at Portus

In response to queries from learners I thought I would provide some additional information about evidence for the Roman ships at Portus. We can expect the basins and canals at Portus to have been crowded with hundreds of commercial ships and boats; one recent estimate, for example, suggests that c. 1800 sea-going ships may have anchored in the Trajanic basin each year. Continue reading →

Southampton confirms top 20 status amongst UK universities

Kristian Strutt:Archaeology and Foresics at 8th place in Southampton. Originally posted on University of Southampton's Noticeboard: The University has consolidated its position amongst the UK’s top 20 institutions by placing 19th overall in the 2015 Guardian University Guide. The climb of five places in The Guardian follows Southampton’s rise to 16th in the recent table published by the Complete University Guide. Continue reading →

Learning a language has a positive effect on the brain

The BBC has reported on recent research showing that learning a second language ‘slows brain ageing’. The study undertaken by researchers from the University of Edinburgh used data from intelligence tests on 262 individuals at the age of 11, and looked at how their cognitive abilities had changed when tested again in their seventies. This research follows on from another recent study which showed that being bilingual could delay the onset of dementia. Continue reading →

Behind the scenes at the museum

The Museum of Musical Instruments, Edinburgh In a companion post to Chris Lewis’s blog on the Making of the Modern Harpsichord, PhD student Kate Hawnt writes about her own research for the project : Good morning from St Cecilia’s Hall, Edinburgh.  I am currently sitting in the Green Room of the Museum of Musical Instruments taking stock of the past day’s work. Continue reading →

Course for international academic staff in English as a Medium of Instruction

Modern Languages at Southampton is running an intensive two-day course on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th June 2014, designed for international academics whose first language is not English and who are delivering degree programmes and presenting research through the medium of English. The course will consist of a dynamic mix of presentations, discussion, group work and individual support. Continue reading →

Research data and MOOCosystems

GPR data from Portus – Jessica Ogden I’ve spoken at a number of events recently about what I see as the potential for joining up MOOCs in order to create shared curricula. I have for example cross-referenced material in the Archaeology of Portus course to Coursera and Brown’s Archaeology’s Dirty Little Secrets course, and to the Coursera and Yale Roman Architecture course. Continue reading →