Ronnais Lloyd

Profile

In 2022, I completed my undergraduate degree in Classical Civilisation at the University of Leeds, before moving to the University of St Andrews to undertake my MLitt in Classics (2023-2024). I have since returned to Leeds to undertake a PhD, where I was first inspired to study Roman history and archaeology.

In addition to my research, I have worked as a field archaeologist and environmental archaeologist in the UK, Italy, and Sardinia. Most recently, I have been the head environmental archaeologist on site at Villa di Tito (Rieti), leading flotation to better understand the organic environment, dietary practices, and site formation. I have also taught Roman history at Ribchester Roman Museum, leading creative sessions during school holidays for schoolchildren to engage with Roman history, and giving tours of the museum and the remains of the bathhouse and granary. In addition, I have written numerous blog posts about my engagement with the classical world for Lytham St Anne's Classical Association, Mainly Museums, Classical Studies Support (Comfort Classics), and Asterion. Last year, I was also invited as a guest speaker on the Classics podcast, prompting conversations around how the field of Classics can become more inclusive for dylsexic classicists.

Research interests

My current research focuses on the intersection of Roman material culture, the lived experiences of non-elite individuals, environmental history, and religion by analysing specific case studies of street altars, household altars, and spring sanctuaries, and sacred groves in Roman Italy. I am particularly interested in Roman archaeology and how material evidence can help reconstruct local experiences of marginalised peoples that are often overlooked in Roman literary texts. My research also explores ways in which we can learn environmental lessons from the past, building stories of resilience in light of climate change.

I also have a research interest in early Roman identity (pre-Republic), stemming from my undergraduate dissertation. I am interested in the differences and similarities between the literary tradition and the archaeological evidence, early socio-political infrastructure, military activity, and connectivity between Rome, the Italian Peninsula, the wider Mediterranean, and the Levant.

Qualifications

• MLitt Classics with Deans Award in recognition of academic excellence
• BA (Hons) Classical Civilisation