The Trimontium Trust welcomed Dr. Louisa Campbell back to join us for an online talk as part of out winter talk series 2020/21. Here Louisa presents her research in this illuminating and enjoyable talk entitled ‘Flipping the Script on Colonial Narratives: Replicating Roman Relief Sculptures.’

“Our understanding of the Roman presence in Scotland during the second century has traditionally been viewed through a Roman lens, influenced by the fragmentary, non-contemporaneous and heavily biased accounts of Roman historiographers. This presentation challenges Romanocentric narratives when (re)considering the materiality of Empire, particularly from frontier contexts. Replicas are an integral component of this narrative with power to express multiplicities of meanings and engage audiences in new and creative ways. These aspects are explored through newly carved sandstone replicas of Antonine Wall Distance Sculptures, including one inspired by the originals but presenting an alternative, provocative narrative from the perspective of Iron Age occupants of the region who came into conflict with Rome.”

Dr. Louisa Campbell.