Remains of the Roman theatre at St Albans, Hertfordshire (excavated 1847), Hertfordshire. Photograph and text by Jacqueline Banerjee. This image may be used without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose.
The Victorians were the first to start uncovering the secrets of Roman St Albans (Verulamium). The Architectural and Archeological Society of St Albans and Hertfordshire was founded in 1845, and the unique Roman Theatre itself first excavated in 1847, by the solicitor R. Grove Lowe. However, the most distinguished member of the society was Sir John Evans (1823-1908), "among the foremost figures of British archeology of the time" (ODNB). Evans became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1852, and was later (1885-1892) its President.
Additional Material
- The history and restoration of the Cathedral (with more images)
- http://romantheatre.co.uk/ for a picture of the theatre as it would have looked in Roman times.
Last modified 29 September 2006