A RESEARCH AGENDA
FOR WALES : ROMANO-BRITISH THEMES
The
Welsh research agenda will differ from that discussed by various authors in
James, S. & Millett, M. (ed) Britons
and Romans: advancing an archaeological agenda (CBA Research Report 125, 2001)
because of a fundamental dearth of quality data in many fields. Other research frameworks may refer to the
need for sampling methodologies but in Wales the relative scarcity of relevant
material reduces our ability to challenge traditional narratives and explore
new concepts. We thus feel that it deserves a high priority in the context of
Welsh research agendas in general, not only because its results can be placed
in a reasonably well understood framework, but also because these are
comprehensible to the general public and, thus, have an inherently educational
value. The very predictability of this period often cited as dull and
unexciting can be turned to the advantage of archaeology in general by
providing a straightforward pathway into the benefits of lifelong learning.
We
feel that the following represent key areas for research:
- A re-assessment of the
material record is urgently required, because this is the key to
understanding issues such as exchange mechanisms, economic development,
social status and the key theme of ‘romanisation’. This approach should not be solely constrained to artefact studies but
should be extended to include what we can glean from environmental studies
and regional trends in respect of land-use etc. This involves extensive literature research, examination and
publication of museum collections and the analysis of what may be termed
‘grey literature’. It needs to
span the later pre-Roman Iron Age as well as the earlier post-Roman
period, in order to address issues of continuity, discontinuity and
change. All four regional
assessments highlight the evidence of continuity and argue for further
examination of existing records with a view to identifying chronological
and landscape interfaces at local and regional scales We consider that this re-assessment is
a fundamental requirement which can not only explore a wide range of
issues, some of which are noted below, but which has the potential to
direct research into particular themes and geographical areas.
- There are large tracts
of Wales where the basic character of the Romano-British settlement
pattern is simply unknown. Hitherto there has been a heavy geographical
bias in the exploration of settlement forms in some zones to the virtual
exclusion of others. This needs to
be urgently rectified. We need to
determine the extent to which the pre-existing settlement pattern
determined that of the Roman period, both in terms of form and
density. We also need to determine
whether Romano-British communication systems affected the existing
settlement pattern.
- There has been little
attempt to adequately investigate high-status settlements (the civitas towns excepted) in Wales. These will undoubtedly vary
in type from region to region, and can include hill-forts in some areas,
though the class would normally be judged to encompass settlements of
‘small town’ character and villae
in a non-military and vici in a
military context. It is astonishing how little we know of the origins and
histories of villae in Wales,
especially when we consider the strong hints and real likelihood of
occupation into the post –Roman period at some of the known sites. Vici
have been identified as key to our understanding of the interface between
the indigenous population and their Roman conquerors and also the level of
interaction between the military and their camp followers. At a wider
level it is a means of exploring over-arching issues of land-use and
inter-site relationships.
- There are key gaps in
our knowledge of the conquest phase, particularly the military
dispositions of the pre-Flavian era.
There are question marks against the nature, and in particular the
chronology, of a number of military sites which appear to belong to the
period c.AD 48-74. There has been
a tendency to over-simplify what is undoubtedly a much more subtle and
complex picture in respect of
military deployment. We may note
the complexity emerging at sites such as Llanfor and Dinefwr Park, and the
potential to expand our understanding of
prolonged conflict by revisiting and extending the work carried out
on the prominent and familiar sites of
South East Wales.
- Technology and
‘industry’, with some few exceptions, has been grossly under-researched.
Traditional narratives need to be re-examined as this has the potential to
resolve issues such as regional differences and discrepancies.
Desk-based assessments; for example, the analysis of
ceramic distributions or access to particular types of tools, should be
broadened to involve intensive fieldwork and recording on ‘industrial’
complexes of all types, ranging from large and small-scale exploitation of
metals (from Flintshire to Glamorgan and Gwent in the case of lead-silver
exploitation), to artefact production of all kinds. Again evidence of continuity
from the Late Iron Age may offer valuable insights into the origins of Roman
industry.
- The study of ritual and
funerary practices have languished in Wales. Wide-ranging desk-top survey in respect of sacred
landscapes -springs and wells
which figure in folklore, together with funerary monuments and cult sites
of earlier ages which have produced evidence of Romano-British activity-
has the potential to unlock an important repository of data and to
identify further priorities. A
number of enclosure types have been tentatively categorised as being of
ritual character, but none have been investigated. Geophysics in the
vicinity of known military bases and urban sites can reveal burials
together with shrines/temples, some of which are alluded to in inscriptions.
Paper prepared by: Jeffery Davies (UWCA), Emma
Plunkett Dillon (National Trust)& Andrew Marvel (GGAT), September 2004
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document’s copyright is held by contributors and sponsors of the Research
Framework for the Archaeology of Wales.