Attention all Romanists!

[Matthew Law]

Hello! Has anybody out there come across oyster shells used as buiding materials on Roman sites? At various stages in the past they have been used as replacement roof tiles, and as a packing material where walls meet ceilings, but I was wondering if anybody has seen this specifically on a Roman site, no matter where in the empire.

[Gerald Maurice Wilkinson]

Hi Matthew, Just picked up your comment. I did a fieldwalking in Lincoln with Lindum Heritage two years ago and I think oyster shell came second after roofing tile pieces and Lincoln must be some 80kms from the sea. It is interesting to see this type of recycling. Eat your oyster lunch and then use the shells for building packing!
Gerald from Bulgaria until Thursday.

[Matthew Law]

Isn't it? I really enjoy any sign of that kind of resourcefulness. As a society with looming resources pressure, we could learn an awful lot from our ancestors.

Thanks for the info. That certainly sounds like a promising lead.

I hope you're enjoying Bulgaria. Please do share some photos if you can

Matt

[Gerald Maurice Wilkinson]

Hi Matt and all, I have just eturned from Bulgaria and am clearing 2 days of emails! Thanks for your comments. I shall be posting photos when I have sorted them about 1000 at the last count. The works was really interesting and I learnt a lot about Byzantine religion, art and architecture (Roddy please note). So watch this page! But Iam off to Pembrokeshire on Saturday hunting for Eileen's family records and sites,
Gerald