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Silchester is primarily renowned for its archaeological remains, particularly the well-preserved Roman town wall of Calleva Atrebatum, considered the best in Great Britain.
Answer: True
Explanation: Silchester is primarily renowned for the archaeological site of Calleva Atrebatum, which features the most well-preserved Roman town wall in Great Britain. The site also potentially contains evidence of one of the earliest Christian churches in the British Isles.
The ruins of Calleva Atrebatum are enclosed by a polygonal earthwork and feature extensive ruined walls that are still visible.
Answer: True
Explanation: The ruins of Calleva Atrebatum are indeed enclosed by a polygonal earthwork, and its extensive walls remain visible. The site also includes the discernible remains of an amphitheatre.
Archaeological analysis of plant remains suggests that residents of Calleva Atrebatum consumed only locally grown grains and fruits.
Answer: False
Explanation: Analysis of plant remains from Calleva Atrebatum indicates that while residents consumed local cereals and fruits, they also had access to imported exotic fruits such as medlar and mulberry, indicating trade connections.
Calleva Atrebatum was abandoned in the 5th century, which is typical for Roman settlements in Britain.
Answer: False
Explanation: Calleva Atrebatum was finally abandoned in the 7th century, which is considered unusually late compared to many other Roman settlements in Britain that were deserted earlier.
Calleva Atrebatum served as the capital of the Roman province of Britannia Superior.
Answer: False
Explanation: Calleva Atrebatum served as the capital of the civitas, or tribal territory, of the Atrebates people, not the capital of the entire Roman province of Britannia Superior.
The area inside the Roman town walls of Calleva Atrebatum is now primarily a densely populated modern town.
Answer: False
Explanation: The area within the Roman town walls of Calleva Atrebatum is now largely farmland, with few visible features beyond the enclosing earthworks, walls, the church, and an old manor house.
What is the primary historical significance of Silchester?
Answer: It contains the best-preserved Roman town wall in Great Britain.
Explanation: Silchester is primarily renowned for the archaeological site of Calleva Atrebatum, which features the most well-preserved Roman town wall in Great Britain.
What was the approximate size of the ruins of Calleva Atrebatum?
Answer: 107 acres
Explanation: The ruins of Calleva Atrebatum cover an area of over 107 acres (43 hectares).
Which of the following imported fruits was available to the residents of Calleva Atrebatum?
Answer: Medlar
Explanation: Analysis of plant remains indicates that imported exotic fruits such as medlar and mulberry were available to the residents of Calleva Atrebatum.
Calleva Atrebatum was finally abandoned in which century?
Answer: 7th century
Explanation: Calleva Atrebatum was finally abandoned in the 7th century.
What was the primary function of the Basilica in Roman towns like Calleva Atrebatum?
Answer: A public building for legal and commercial activities
Explanation: The Basilica in Roman towns like Calleva Atrebatum served as a public building for legal and commercial activities, functioning as a major administrative and legal center.
What does the term 'oppidum' refer to in the context of Silchester's history?
Answer: A Late Iron Age fortified settlement
Explanation: In the context of Silchester's history, 'oppidum' refers to a Late Iron Age fortified settlement that predated the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum.
The University of Reading's archaeological project at Silchester focuses exclusively on the Roman period.
Answer: False
Explanation: The archaeological research project led by the University of Reading focuses on the landscape surrounding Silchester Roman Town, investigating its Late Iron Age oppidum and earlier periods, rather than exclusively the Roman period.
As of 2020, the Silchester Environs Project had identified over 900 new archaeological sites in the area.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of 2020, the Silchester Environs Project had identified 671 new archaeological sites, an increase from the previously known 267 sites, contributing to a broader understanding of the area's history.
The Society of Antiquaries conducted major excavations at Silchester between 1890 and 1909.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Society of Antiquaries conducted significant excavations at Silchester between 1890 and 1909, contributing substantially to the understanding of Calleva Atrebatum.
Which university is leading a research project on the landscape surrounding Silchester Roman Town?
Answer: University of Reading
Explanation: The University of Reading is leading a research project focused on the landscape surrounding Silchester Roman Town.
The Silchester eagle, a significant Roman bronze artifact, was discovered in the amphitheatre of Calleva Atrebatum.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Silchester eagle, a notable Roman bronze artifact, was discovered in the Basilica of Calleva Atrebatum, not the amphitheatre. It is currently housed at Reading Museum.
The Silchester Ogham stone is dated to the early medieval period and is inscribed using only the Irish Ogham script.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Silchester Ogham stone, dated to approximately 500 AD (early medieval period), is inscribed using the Latin alphabet but employing Irish Ogham script, not solely Ogham script.
The Ring of Silvianus, found near Silchester, is believed to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Ring of Silvianus, discovered near Silchester, is believed to have potentially inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's One Ring in 'The Lord of the Rings,' not 'The Hobbit'.
The Silchester Ogham stone's inscription uses the Irish Ogham script alongside Celtic script.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Silchester Ogham stone's inscription utilizes the Latin alphabet but employs Irish Ogham script; there is no mention of it being inscribed alongside Celtic script.
The Silchester eagle, a significant artifact, is currently housed at which museum?
Answer: Reading Museum
Explanation: The Silchester eagle, a significant Roman bronze artifact, is currently housed at Reading Museum.
What is unique about the inscription on the Silchester Ogham stone?
Answer: It uses the Latin alphabet but employs Irish Ogham script.
Explanation: The inscription on the Silchester Ogham stone is unique because it uses the Latin alphabet but employs Irish Ogham script, a rare combination found in England.
The Ring of Silvianus, found near Silchester, is significant because it may have inspired which literary work?
Answer: 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien
Explanation: The Ring of Silvianus, found near Silchester, is significant as it may have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's One Ring in 'The Lord of the Rings'.
In 1304, Ralph Bluet obtained a license to enclose land southeast of the former Roman town to establish a deer park.
Answer: False
Explanation: A license to enclose land southeast of the former Roman town for a deer park was obtained in 1204 by Ralph Bluet, not in 1304.
Historical records show that Silchester was spelled 'Sylkchester' in the 14th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: Historical records indicate that 'Sylkchester' was an 18th-century spelling variation of Silchester, while 14th-century spellings included 'Scilchestre'.
The manor of Silchester was purchased by Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, in the early 19th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: The manor of Silchester came into the possession of Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, by 1828 through inheritance and marriage, rather than a direct purchase in the early 19th century.
The manor of Silchester passed to the Duke of Wellington through direct purchase from the Crown in the early 19th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: The manor of Silchester came into the possession of Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, by 1828 through inheritance and marriage, not through a direct purchase from the Crown.
According to the Domesday Book (1086), how many hides was Alestan's manor in Silchester assessed at?
Answer: Five hides
Explanation: The Domesday Book (1086) records Alestan's manor in Silchester as being assessed at five hides.
Which historical figure's descendant owned the manor of Silchester by 1828?
Answer: Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
Explanation: By 1828, Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, whose descendant owned the manor, had come into possession of the manor of Silchester.
The modern village of Silchester is situated within the ancient earthwork enclosure of Calleva Atrebatum.
Answer: False
Explanation: The modern village of Silchester is located adjacent to, but not within, the ancient earthwork enclosure of Calleva Atrebatum. The Roman town's ruins are largely situated on farmland.
Silchester Common is the location of the Primitive Methodist chapel.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Primitive Methodist chapel is indeed situated on Silchester Common, serving the local community.
The present-day village center of Silchester is located about one mile east of the parish church.
Answer: False
Explanation: The present-day village center of Silchester is located approximately one mile west of the parish church, which is situated within the eastern section of the ancient Roman town's boundaries.
Silchester operates as a civil parish and is administered solely by Hampshire County Council.
Answer: False
Explanation: Silchester operates as a civil parish with its own council but is administered by both Basingstoke and Deane District Council and Hampshire County Council, not solely by Hampshire County Council.
The 2011 Census recorded the population of Silchester civil parish as just over 1000 inhabitants.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 2011 Census recorded the population of Silchester civil parish as 921 inhabitants, which is not 'just over 1000'.
Bus route 14, serving Silchester Common, operates daily, including Sundays.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bus route 14, serving Silchester Common, operates from Mondays through Saturdays, not daily including Sundays.
The Calleva Arms public house is named after a famous Roman emperor associated with the area.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Calleva Arms public house is named after Calleva Atrebatum, the ancient Roman town, not a specific Roman emperor.
Silchester was awarded 'Hampshire Village of the Year' in 2009.
Answer: False
Explanation: Silchester was awarded 'Hampshire Village of the Year' in 2008 and 'South England Village of the Year' in 2009, indicating the awards were for different categories in different years.
Where is the modern village of Silchester located?
Answer: Hampshire, England
Explanation: The modern village of Silchester is situated in Hampshire, England.
Silchester received the award for 'South England Village of the Year' in which year?
Answer: 2009
Explanation: Silchester received the award for 'South England Village of the Year' in 2009.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a notable person associated with Silchester?
Answer: William Shakespeare (playwright)
Explanation: William Shakespeare is not listed among the notable individuals associated with Silchester in the provided information; notable figures include Richard Carte and Victoria Monks.
The Silchester Cricket Club participates in which league?
Answer: The Hampshire Cricket League
Explanation: The Silchester Cricket Club participates in the Hampshire Cricket League.
What is the OS grid reference for Silchester?
Answer: SU627620
Explanation: The Ordnance Survey grid reference for Silchester is SU627620.
The parish church of St Mary the Virgin is located outside the boundaries of the former Roman town.
Answer: False
Explanation: The parish church of St Mary the Virgin is situated within the boundaries of the former Roman town, possibly on the site of a Roman temple.
St Mary the Virgin church notably features a prominent chancel arch separating the nave from the chancel.
Answer: False
Explanation: St Mary the Virgin church notably lacks a chancel arch; the chancel is longer than the nave, and the two are not separated by a prominent arch.
The rood screen in St Mary the Virgin church is an example of Romanesque architecture.
Answer: False
Explanation: The rood screen in St Mary the Virgin church is described as being in the Perpendicular Gothic style, not Romanesque architecture.
The parish church of St Mary the Virgin is notable for lacking which architectural feature between the nave and chancel?
Answer: A chancel arch
Explanation: The parish church of St Mary the Virgin is notable for lacking a chancel arch between the nave and the chancel.
What is the architectural style of the rood screen found in St Mary the Virgin church?
Answer: Perpendicular Gothic
Explanation: The rood screen in St Mary the Virgin church is described as being in the Perpendicular Gothic style.