Dr. Mark Grahame
Dr. Mark Grahame sees the ancient Roman world not as a distant empire, but as a lived-in place—one of kitchens and courtyards, worn thresholds and sunlit atriums, where real people moved through their days with habits, hopes, and human complexity. An archaeologist by training and a storyteller at heart, Mark has spent his career exploring how ancient cities were shaped from the inside out—by the spaces people created and the meanings they gave them.
His Story
Mark earned his PhD from the University of Southampton, with a focus on the architecture and social life of houses in Pompeii. But his research goes far beyond bricks and mortar: it’s about how homes expressed identity, how neighbourhoods functioned, and how the smallest details—a window, a bench, a shrine—could speak volumes about daily life in the Roman world.
Mark has taught at the University of Southampton and at the University of Oxford’s Department for Continuing Education, where his lectures are known for their clarity, depth, and a quiet passion that brings ancient lives into focus. He’s also the founder of M-Arc Heritage Ltd, a consultancy dedicated to helping museums and historic sites tell fuller, more human stories about the past.
What sets Mark apart is his sensitivity to the emotional and sensory world of antiquity. He is drawn to the overlooked details: the way light filtered through a courtyard at dawn, the echoes of footsteps in a hallway, the feel of plaster worn smooth by generations of hands. These are the things, he believes, that connect us most closely to people who lived long ago.
For travellers, Mark is a guide who brings ancient places to life from the inside—revealing not just what they were, but how they felt. Whether walking through the quiet backstreets of Pompeii or tracing the rituals of Roman domestic life, he invites you to step into their world—and find something of your own reflected there.
Tours Curated by Mark Grahame
The Grand Tour: Classical Sites, Monuments and Art that Inspired Western Civilisation
Led by archaeologist and author Dr. Mark Grahame, this tour goes beyond simply visiting iconic ruins. It offers a deeper exploration of how ancient spaces—from temples and forums to private homes—shaped the rhythms of Roman life and laid the cultural foundations of the Western world. Through his unique lens, classical sites become lived-in places filled with meaning, memory, and human presence.
Moments with Mark Grahame
Intereviw with
Mark Grahame
Can you tell us about your journey into archaeology and your focus on Roman domestic life?
My journey began with a fascination for the everyday lives of people in the past, rather than just monuments or politics. My PhD at the University of Southampton focused on houses in Pompeii, exploring how ordinary Romans shaped their cities and were shaped by them. I’m particularly interested in small details—a bench, a shrine, the way light filters through an atrium—that reveal daily life.
What do you mean when you say architecture reveals human stories?
Architecture isn’t just bricks and mortar; it reflects lived experience. Doorways, courtyards, and windows can tell us about social interactions, identity, and even emotions. By studying these elements, we can imagine not only how spaces were used, but how they felt—the sounds, smells, and rhythms of daily life.
How do you bring ancient cities alive for your students?
I use storytelling alongside academic analysis. Walking through Pompeii, I encourage students to think about where people cooked, socialized, or prayed. I focus on sensory experiences—the echo of footsteps, the aroma of bread, the sunlight in a courtyard—so history feels immediate and human.
How does guiding travellers differ from your academic work?
Guiding travellers is about making history tangible and memorable. I explain how spaces reveal social and cultural values, and why rooms were arranged in particular ways. It’s about curiosity, insight, and seeing history through a human lens.
What advice would you give to anyone exploring Roman archaeology?
Pay attention to small details. Thresholds, benches, courtyards, and other overlooked features often tell the clearest stories. Imagine the people who moved through those spaces—their routines, rituals, and lives—and the past comes alive.