Transactions

Transactions
Author: South Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society
Publisher:
Total Pages: 610
Release: 1989
Genre: Excavations (Archaeology)
ISBN:

Clash of Cultures?

Clash of Cultures?
Author: Roger White
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2018-02-21
Genre: History
ISBN: 1785709259

The general perception of the west midlands region in the Roman period is that it was a backwater compared to the militarized frontier zone of the north, or the south of Britain where Roman culture took root early – in cities like Colchester, London ,and St Albans – and lingered late at cities like Cirencester and Bath with their rich, late Roman villa culture. The west midlands region captures the transition between these two areas of the ‘military’ north and ‘civilized’ south. Where it differed, and why, are important questions in understanding the regional diversity of Roman Britain. They are addressed by this volume which details the archaeology of the Roman period for each of the modern counties of the region, written by local experts who are or have been responsible for the management and exploration of their respective counties. These are placed alongside more thematic takes on elements of Roman culture, including the Roman Army, pottery, coins and religion. Lastly, an overview is taken of the important transitional period of the fifth and sixth centuries. Each paper provides both a developed review of the existing state of knowledge and understanding of the key characteristics of the subject area and details a set of research objectives for the future, immediate and long-term, that will contribute to our evolving understanding of Roman Britain. This is the third volume in a series – The Making of the West Midlands – that explores the archaeology of the English west midlands region from the Lower Palaeolithic onwards.

Huntsman’s Quarry, Kemerton

Huntsman’s Quarry, Kemerton
Author: Robin Jackson
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 282
Release: 2015-12-31
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1782979956

Archaeological investigations at Huntsman’s Quarry, Kemerton, south Worcestershire during 1995-6 recorded significant Late Bronze Age occupation areas and field systems spreading across more than 8 hectares. Limited evidence for Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Beaker activity was also recovered together with an Early Bronze Age ring-ditch. Waterholes and associated round-houses, structures and pits were set within landscape of fields and droveways radiocarbon dated to the 12th–11th centuries cal BC. Elements of this field system probably predated the settlement. Substantial artifactual and ecofactual assemblages were recovered from the upper fills of the waterholes and larger pits . The settlement had a predominantly pastoral economy supported by some textile and bronze production. Ceramics included a notable proportion of non-local fabrics demonstrating that the local population enjoyed a wide range of regional contacts. Wider ranging, national exchange networks were also indicated by the presence of shale objects as well as the supply of bronze for metalworking, perhaps indicative of a site of some social status. Together the evidence indicates a small settlement within which occupation of individual areas was short-lived with the focus of the settlement shifting on a regular basis. It is proposed that this occurred on a generational basis, with each generation setting up a new ‘homestead’ with an associated waterhole. The settlement can be compared favorably to those known along the Thames Valley but until now not recognized in this part of the country. Cropmark evidence and limited other investigations indicate that the fields and droveways recorded represent a small fragment of a widespread system of boundaries established across the gravel terraces lying between Bredon Hill and the Carrant Brook. This managed and organized landscape appears to have been established for the maintenance of an economy primarily based on relatively intensive livestock farming; the trackways facilitating seasonal movement of stock between meadows alongside the Carrant Brook, the adjacent terraces and the higher land on Bredon Hill.

A Computer-Mapped Flora

A Computer-Mapped Flora
Author: D.A. Cadbury
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 780
Release: 2012-12-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0323142583

A Computer-Mapped Flora presents the study of county flora using electronic data processing methods to sort and codify the information gathered. This book also uses computer techniques for the construction of distribution maps that report the presence or absence of a species in a certain area and their major habitats. The book is comprised of 15 chapters. The first chapter is subdivided into two parts that discuss the previous work and a review and revision of old methods used in the study. The following paragraphs focus on the physical aspect of the topic. This volume includes chapters on the physical background, geology and soils, and historical geography. Also included in the book is a chapter dedicated to the historical survey of Warwickshire bryophytes. The following section focuses on the study and research aspect. Topics included are the recording and processing of data and habitat studies. The topics discussed in the subsequent chapters focus on plants, specifically flowering and vascular plants and bryophytes. Distribution maps, graph-plotted maps, and vascular plant checklists are some of the topics discussed. The book aims to be of service to botanists and other biologists outside of the British setting. This reference material will be helpful to other disciplines as the methods documented herein can also be applied to other studies and research.

Religion and Literature in Western England, 600-800

Religion and Literature in Western England, 600-800
Author: Patrick Sims-Williams
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 474
Release: 2005-06-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780521673426

Describes the early conversion to Christianity of the pagan peoples of an area stretching from Stratford-upon-Avon to Offa's Dyke.

Wroxeter: Ashes under Uricon

Wroxeter: Ashes under Uricon
Author: Roger H. White
Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2022-09-22
Genre: History
ISBN: 1803272503

This book reflects on how people over time have viewed the abandoned Roman city of Wroxeter in Shropshire. It responds to three main artistic outputs: poetry, images and texts. It explores what locals and visitors thought of the site over time, and considers how access to the site has altered, impacting on who visits and what is understood.

Excavations at King's Low and Queen's Low

Excavations at King's Low and Queen's Low
Author: Gary Lock
Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd
Total Pages: 122
Release: 2014-03-15
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1784910716

Two barrows in the parish of Tixall, north of Stafford, were excavated between 1986-1994. The results are important because little excavation of round barrows has been carried out in this area of North Staffordshire and these add considerably to the local corpus of knowledge concerning Early Bronze Age burial practices.

Architecture, Economics, and Identity in Romano-British 'small Towns'

Architecture, Economics, and Identity in Romano-British 'small Towns'
Author: Thomas C. Rust
Publisher: BAR International Series
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2006
Genre: Architecture
ISBN:

Roman 'small towns' were an important link between the urban civitas capitals and the rural population and offer an ideal case study for examining the extent of Roman influence permeating into the rural provinces. Thomas Rust's study looks at 67 Romano-British sites, including Alcester, Bath, Cambridge, Dragonby, Ilchester, Richborough, Rochester and Whitchurch, exploring the extent to which they adopted and adapted to Roman cultural influences. In particular, Rust traces this 'Romanisation' through changes in building traditions, especially the shift from timber to masonry from the mid-2nd to early 3rd century. The study includes a gazetteer of sites, and lots of useful tables and illustrations.