Exploring ancient life: Sembach second graders at Villa Borg

PERL, Germany – Second graders at Sembach Elementary School explored history firsthand during their visit to Villa Borg, a reconstructed Roman villa and one of the largest rural estates in the Saarland–Moselle region near the German–Luxembourg border.

This remarkable site offered students a vivid reminder of how people lived nearly 2,000 years ago, allowing them to step directly into the world of ancient Roman daily life.

As part of their work with historical thinking, students examined continuities and changes over time by observing the villa’s architecture, artifacts, and reconstructed living spaces. They used chronological reasoning to connect what they saw at Villa Borg with important events and developments in community life long ago.

During the visit, students explored various parts of the villa, including the bathhouse, kitchen, gardens, and workshops. These hands‑on experiences helped them compare ancient Roman lifestyles with modern community life, deepening their understanding of how people’s needs, tools, and environments evolve over time.

Students also practiced interpreting historical evidence — such as maps, models, artifacts, and informational displays — to understand how archaeologists and historians reconstruct the past. This supported their ability to describe how communities change and what remains constant across generations.

The field trip not only brought history to life but also strengthened students’ curiosity, observation skills, and appreciation for cultures that shaped the world we live in today. Experiences like this help young learners see that history is not just something found in books — it is something they can walk through, touch, and explore.