Sensing the Fort

Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall. Image copyright © Historic England. English Heritage Trust. Used under non‑commercial licence.

Project overview

Sensing the Fort is a collaborative project between the University of Leeds and English Heritage that brings sensory archaeology to life at Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall. The project explores how people in the Roman past experienced everyday spaces, such as the bakehouse, bathhouse, and barracks, through sound, smell, heat, and movement. By recreating these sense-scapes, we aim to offer visitors a more immersive encounter with daily life at the fort.

The project blends cutting-edge research with creative interpretation to deepen public engagement and reimagine how archaeological heritage can be experienced today.

A key highlight will be an interactive sensory tour on 12 June 2026, which will offer an opportunity to see the vivid colours of clothing and emblems, smell bread baking in the bakehouses, and visit the communal baths.

Project team

• Dr Giacomo Savani, School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, [email protected]
• Dr Andrew J. Roberts, Curator of History, English Heritage.

What inspired you to develop this project?

I was inspired by the ancient concept of genius loci, which captures the intangible yet distinctive spirit of a place. In antiquity, this unique ‘quality’ was closely linked to the divine presence believed to emanate from specific locations, with the senses playing a crucial role in recognising it. I am convinced that ancient sites can still be experienced as vibrant, multisensory environments with a powerful aura. Sensory archaeology enables us to reactivate such auras. The project aims to achieve this at Housesteads, reimagining it as a lived space, rich with sound, scent, and movement.

What are you hoping to achieve with your project?

I hope this project will show how immersive, sensory interpretation can transform the way visitors connect with archaeological sites, making the past feel tangible and alive.

What are you most looking forward to in this project?

I’m most excited to see visitors experience the fort in completely new ways, especially during the live bakery event, when the smells, sounds, and textures of Roman daily life will truly come alive.