The Open University Classical Studies colleague Dr Jessica Hughes is curating an exhibition, ‘The other Pompeii: religion and archaelogy in the nineteenth century’ as part of this year’s British Academy summer showcase, 20-21 June 2025. This exhibition reconstructs a capsule archaeological excavation that took place in 1887, just beyond the walls of ancient Pompeii, on land owned by the Catholic Shrine. Engage in hands-on activities to learn about the excavation and interpretation of this Roman building (identified at the time as a ‘fullonica’, or ‘laundry’), unearth buried replicas of the Roman finds, and make copies of the Roman coins that were among the discoveries.

The British Academy’s free festival of ideas returns on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 June. Through interactive exhibits and workshops, inspiring performances and screenings, and thought-provoking talks, our funded researchers will share their innovative social sciences and humanities research that is shaping the society we live in – and informing the one we want to create. Their curiosity-driven projects have been funded by our various project grants and individual fellowships; and will be joined in our vibrant programme by our world-renowned Fellows and wider experts for a relaxed Friday Late and Saturday’s family-friendly Summer Showcase.

Come along, try something new, and be inspired to think differently about the world around you.

Jessica Hughes currently holds a British Academy/Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship. The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future.

Image credit: The other Pompeii: religion and archaeology in the nineteenth century (c) The British Academy