Change and continuity in the exploitation of natural resources (such as stone, iron, clay and wood) in the principal areas of industrial activity in Kent (namely the Weald, Folkestone region and upper Medway Valley) during the Roman occupation
Kent was a key component of Roman Britain, featuring aspects it held in common with the rest of this north-western fringe of Empire, but also elements unique to the region. With economic activity for much of the occupation concentrated in three specific areas - the industrial zone of the Weald, a region ranging from Canterbury to Folkestone on the Channel coast, and the upper Medway Valley - the area covered by the modern county was particularly important for the exploitation of natural resources. These included ferrous-ores for iron production in the Weald, greensands for quern production around Folkestone and ragstone quarrying in the upper Medway Valley (the latter providing much of the building stone used in the occupation-period South East). This study brings together a wide range of research findings to present a picture of the economic use and associated organisation of this landscape. The study shows there to have been a hitherto unrecognized depth of economic exploitation, demonstrated by the variety of evidence types assembled in these pages. These activities had an important role within the Imperial, commercial and personal agendas of the time, with the thesis aiming to address the question of how
Elliott, Simon
Change and continuity in the exploitation of natural resources (such as stone, iron, clay and wood) in the principal areas of industrial activity in Kent (namely the Weald, Folkestone region and upper Medway Valley) during the Roman occupation. Kent was a key component of Roman Britain, featuring aspects it held in common with the rest of this north-western fringe of Empire, but also elements unique to the region. With economic activity for much of the occupation concentrated in three specific areas - the industrial zone of the Weald, a region ranging from Canterbury to Folkestone on the Channel coast, and the upper Medway Valley - the area covered by the modern county was particularly important for the exploitation of natural resources. These included ferrous-ores for iron production in the Weald, greensands for quern production around Folkestone and ragstone quarrying in the upper Medway Valley (the latter providing much of the building stone used in the occupation-period South East). This study brings together a wide range of research findings to present a picture of the economic use and associated organisation of this landscape. The study shows there to have been a hitherto unrecognized depth of economic exploitation, demonstrated by the variety of evidence types assembled in these pages. These activities had an important role within the Imperial, commercial and personal agendas of the time, with the thesis aiming to address the question of how
change_continuity exploitation natural_resource stone iron clay wood principal area industrial activity kent namely region upper valley roman_occupation kent key_component roman_britain feature aspect hold common rest north_western fringe empire also elements unique region economic_activity much occupation concentrate specific area industrial zone region range canterbury channel coast upper valley area_cover modern county particularly_important exploitation natural_resource include iron_production quern production around quarry upper valley latter provide_much building stone use occupation period south_east study bring_together wide_range finding_present picture economic use associate organisation landscape study_show hitherto unrecognized depth economic_exploitation demonstrate variety evidence type assemble page activity important_role within imperial commercial personal agenda time aim_address question