Do all roads lead to Rome? Year 5 Roman Roads

Year 5 has been on a fascinating journey back in time, swapping their modern shoes for ancient Roman sandals to discover the incredible impact of Roman roads on Britain! Our recent lesson explored not just how these engineering marvels changed the landscape, but also how they fundamentally transformed the way people and goods moved around the country.

Year 5 investigated the remarkable cross-section of a typical Roman road and discovered a meticulous, layered structure designed for strength and drainage:

1. Foundation: A layer of large, flat stones at the base.

2. Rubble: A layer of smaller stones, broken tiles, and concrete mix.

3. Core: A fine layer of gravel or sand, often mixed with lime to form a cement.

4. Paving Stones: The top layer of smooth, closely fitted stones, often laid in a slightly curved shape (cambered) to allow rainwater to run off into ditches along the sides.

The children were fascinated by how much thought went into keeping the roads dry and stable.

Using cardboard boxes, Year 5 meticulously constructed their own individual cross-sections of a Roman road. This hands-on activity allowed them to physically layer the different materials, reinforcing their understanding.

'I enjoyed making the roads - Roman roads were made out of stone, gravel and dirt.' - Isabella 

'Although it took a long time - the roads ended up great. We learned that there are still some Roman roads left in Colchester!' - Vinnie

The excitement peaked when we took all the individual box sections and put them together to make one long, continuous Roman road! This demonstrated how the Romans created their massive transport network by building and joining many durable segments.

The lesson became even more real when we looked at the history on our doorstep! Being close to Colchester, the oldest recorded Roman town in Britain, gave the children a direct connection to the road network.

The children were able to identify where traces of these ancient routes still exist in our local area today, a powerful reminder that history isn't just in books—it's under our feet! They discovered that the roads we travel on daily often follow the same paths laid down by the Roman engineers almost 2,000 years ago.

Well done, Year 5, for becoming Roman Road Engineers and Local Historians!