I was very excited to be appointed in August as the latest Kendal museum intern, with the task of coordinating the new Roman display. The question was, where to start?

Carol Davies, Kendal Museum’s curator, freely admits she is not an archaeologist but has a lively interest. She had just walked Hadrian’s Wall path and was enthusing about all things Roman!

It is her responsibility to care for the rich and varied Roman collection at the museum, both on display and those items in store, including the dig finds from the archaeological site of Watercrook Roman fort - a short walk from the museum.

We both agreed that one of our aims for our visitors is to capture the sense of awe and wonder that we feel when looking at this collection, imaging the lives of the past owners of these objects.

Museums have the duty and responsibility of illustrating this link of the distant and seemingly remote world with modern life; they provide a tangible link between these worlds through the surviving material culture.

But how do we share our treasures and knowledge with the public to bring an understanding of the different way of life and times from so long ago?

Renowned Roman statesman, politician and scholar Cicero asked: “What is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?”

History was considered of paramount importance to the Romans; it dictated contemporary international policy, dominated urban and rural landscapes, and was central to the development of their material culture.

As the Roman Empire expanded, Roman society and its values were imposed upon the indigenous cultures, often through its material culture.

Kendal Museum’s Roman collection is not simply an illustration of Roman invasion and domination, but rather an increasing compromise of two cultures to produce a distinct Romano-British culture.

But it is really the embracing of the similarities while appreciating the differences of both our own culture and that of our Roman ancestors; but also the collection encourages us to appreciate the cultural differences between the invading Romans and the native Britons.

Kendal, indeed Cumbria, holds a unique position in the of history of Roman Britain. Based in the upmost Northern frontier of the Roman Empire, it was the site of society and civilisation. Hadrian ’s Wall stands as an everlasting testament to this enforced culturalisation and the ardent defence of nationality by the Scots.

The history of Hadrian’s Wall has particular relevance at the moment, with the recent independence vote in Scotland; and the decision that faced Scotland could easily be the same decision that their ancient counterparts faced, about belonging to a larger multinational culture.

The idea of enforced culturalisation and that of invasion and co-operation of Rome and Britain also has a particular relevance with on-going European Union debates and rather begs the question: Is local independence and tradition more important than the apparent benefits that come from globalisation?

At Kendal Museum we believe that museums are not simply storage facilities, but rather an opportunity to engage with the past, and learn from our history.

The new Roman display reflects a new exhibition method. Rather than eclipse the beauty and wonder of the objects with lengthy labels and dirges of information, the new gallery focuses on the objects themselves.

At Kendal museum we are inviting visitors to come and explore our Roman collection, not only as modern global citizens, but also to try to see the collection through the eyes of the early Britons, viewing these remarkable results of extraordinary technology for the first time.