Studies in the Roman and Medieval Archaeology of Exeter

Studies in the Roman and Medieval Archaeology of Exeter
Author: Stephen Rippon
Publisher:
Total Pages: 665
Release: 2021
Genre: History
ISBN: 1789256224

This second volume presenting the research carried out through the Exeter: A Place in Time project presents a series of specialist contributions that underpin the general overview published in the first volume. Chapter 2 provides summaries of the excavations carried out within the city of Exeter between 1812 and 2019, while Chapter 3 draws together the evidence for the plan of the legionary fortress and the streets and buildings of the Roman town. Chapter 4 presents the medieval documentary evidence relating to the excavations at three sites in central Exeter (High Street, Trichay Street and Goldsmith Street), with the excavation reports being in Chapter 5-7. Chapter 8 reports on the excavations and documentary research at Rack Street in the south-east quarter of the city. There follows a series of papers covering recent research into the archaeometallurgical debris, dendrochronology, Roman pottery, Roman ceramic building material, Roman querns and millstones, Claudian coins, an overview of the Roman coins from Exeter and Devon, medieval pottery, and the human remains found in a series of medieval cemeteries.

Roman and Medieval Exeter and their Hinterlands

Roman and Medieval Exeter and their Hinterlands
Author: Stephen Rippon
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 416
Release: 2021-04-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 1789256186

This first volume, presenting research carried out through the Exeter: A Place in Time project, provides a synthesis of the development of Exeter within its local, regional, national and international hinterlands. Exeter began life in c. AD 55 as one of the most important legionary bases within early Roman Britain, and for two brief periods in the early and late 60s AD, Exeter was a critical centre of Roman power within the new province. When the legion moved to Wales the fortress was converted into the civitas capital for the Dumnonii. Its development as a town was, however, relatively slow, reflecting the gradual pace at which the region as a whole adapted to being part of the Roman world. The only evidence we have for occupation within Exeter between the 5th and 8th centuries is for a church in what was later to become the Cathedral Close. In the late 9th century, however, Exeter became a defended burh, and this was followed by the revival of urban life. Exeter’s wealth was in part derived from its central role in the south-west’s tin industry, and by the late 10th century Exeter was the fifth most productive mint in England. Exeter’s importance continued to grow as it became an episcopal and royal centre, and excavations within Exeter have revealed important material culture assemblages that reflect its role as an international port.

Roman Frontier Archaeology – in Britain and Beyond

Roman Frontier Archaeology – in Britain and Beyond
Author: Nick Hodgson
Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd
Total Pages: 384
Release: 2022-11-25
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1803273453

Contributions by leading archaeologists and historians pay tribute to Paul Bidwell, admired for his ground-breaking work both in the south-west and the military north of Roman Britain. This collection will be essential reading for anyone with an interest in either the civil or military aspects of Roman Britain, or the frontiers of the Roman empire.

Challenging Preconceptions of the European Iron Age

Challenging Preconceptions of the European Iron Age
Author: Wendy Morrison
Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2022-06-20
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1803270071

This collection of essays by leading researchers in the archaeology of the European Iron Age pays tribute to Professor John Collis who, since the 1960s, has been involved in investigating and enriching our understanding of Iron Age society and, crucially, questioning the status quo of our narratives about the past.

Tales of Two Cities: Settlement and Suburb in Old Sarum and Salisbury

Tales of Two Cities: Settlement and Suburb in Old Sarum and Salisbury
Author: Hadrian Cook
Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd
Total Pages: 360
Release: 2024-07-04
Genre: History
ISBN: 1803277602

Telling the story of Old Sarum and Salisbury, from the mid-10th century to the start of the 20th, this book brings together the most up-to-date thinking on the archaeological evidence, and, through analysis of the rich documentary record, provides a fresh take on the story of this most illustrious cathedral city in the heart of southern England.

The Archaeology of the 11th Century

The Archaeology of the 11th Century
Author: Dawn M Hadley
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 343
Release: 2017-02-10
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1315312921

The Archaeology of the 11th Century explores this formative period of English history and in particular the impact of the Conquest of England by the Normans. The volume examines how the Normans contributed to local culture, religion and society through a range of topics including food culture, funerary practices, the development of castles and their impact, and how both urban and rural life evolved during the eleventh century. Through its nuanced approach to the complex relationships and regional identities which characterized the period, this collection stimulates renewed debate and challenges some of the long-standing myths surrounding the Conquest.

Territoriality and the Early Medieval Landscape

Territoriality and the Early Medieval Landscape
Author: Stephen Rippon
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer
Total Pages: 407
Release: 2022-04-05
Genre: Anglo-Saxons
ISBN: 1783276800

All communities have a strong sense of identity with the area in which they live, which for England in the early medieval period manifested itself in a series of territorial entities, ranging from large kingdoms down to small districts known as pagi or regiones. This book investigates these small early folk territories, and the way that they evolved into the administrative units recorded in Domesday, across an entire kingdom - that of the East Saxons (broadly speaking, what is now Essex, Middlesex, most of Hertfordshire, and south Suffolk). A wide range of evidence is drawn upon, including archaeology, written documents, place-names and the early cartographic sources. The book looks in particular at the relationship between Saxon immigrants and the native British population, and argues that initially these ethnic groups occupied different parts of the landscape, until a dynasty which assumed an Anglo-Saxon identity achieved political ascendency (its members included the so-called "Prittlewell Prince", buried with spectacular grave-good in Prittlewell, near Southend-on- Sea in southern Essex). Other significant places discussed include London, the seat of the first East Saxon bishopric, the possible royal vills at Wicken Bonhunt near Saffron Walden and Maldon, and St Peter's Chapel at Bradwell-on-Sea, one of the most important surviving churches from the early Christian period.

Highhays, Kilkenny

Highhays, Kilkenny
Author: Emma Devine
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2022-09-30
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1789258553

This richly illustrated book presents the first comprehensive study of the making and marketing of pottery in medieval Ireland. Focusing on a well-preserved 14th-century pottery production center which was excavated in 2006 at Highhays, outside the walls of the renowned Anglo-Norman town of Kilkenny in south-east Ireland, the authors describe its kiln, workshops and working areas, as well as its ‘Highhays Ware’ products: jugs, jars, cooking-pots, money-boxes and ridge tiles. Foremost amongst the outputs from the kiln site were high-quality, wheel-thrown, green-glazed jugs that were closely modeled on French Saintonge and Bristol Redcliffe archetypes and the volume describes the distinctive processes, kiln-firing technology and raw materials that were employed to produce these, and the other wares, represented on the site. The book also presents the results of an innovative plasma spectrometry and petrological analysis of Highhays Ware, which facilitated identification of the source for the raw potting clays areas – located at a considerable distance from Highhays in north county Kilkenny – used in its production, in addition to allowing for a study of the uncharacteristically broad distribution of the ware throughout the south-east of Ireland. The authors also place the production of pottery at Highhays in its broader context by presenting an overall review of the archaeological and historical evidence for pottery making and consumption in medieval Ireland, as well as by exploring the cultural background and social status of potters in the Anglo-Norman colony. Supporting the analysis and interpretation of the Highhays site and its assemblage are specialist and scientific contributions on the pottery, tiles, ceramic production material, metal finds, coins and archaeobotanical and animal bone remains from the site, archaeomagnetic and radiocarbon dating and plasma spectrometry and petrological analysis.

On the Edge of Empire

On the Edge of Empire
Author: Siân Alyce Thomas
Publisher: British Archaeological Reports (Oxford) Limited
Total Pages: 228
Release: 2021
Genre: Social Science
ISBN:

This book explores the relationship between people and material culture in the south-west peninsula of England from the first century BC to the fifth century AD through analysis of the ceramics, personal adornment items & coins.