Settlement and society in the later prehistory of North-East England
This study examines the evidence for later prehistoric and Romano-British settlement in the four counties of north east England. The aim is to explore the ways in which landscape archaeology can be used to gain an understanding of social interaction. The work is essentially a theoretical study although it derives from a comprehensive survey of the empirical evidence. It stresses the importance of the conceptual framework within which archaeological research is undertaken and aims to show that approaches currently employed in this area fail to explore the full potential of the existing data set. The survey therefore begins with a critical assessment of that data set and the factors both natural and anthropogenic which have affected the existing record. Comprehending the use of space is seen as fundamental to understanding past society. An initial analysis of settlement morphology is developed into a series of studies examining spatial patterning on a variety of scales. Quantitative techniques for the analysis of patterning at inter and intra-site levels are introduced. The observed patterns are seen to relate to social organisation and different social formations across space and time are identified. The idea
Ferrell, Gillian
Romano-British settlements
Settlement and society in the later prehistory of North-East England. This study examines the evidence for later prehistoric and Romano-British settlement in the four counties of north east England. The aim is to explore the ways in which landscape archaeology can be used to gain an understanding of social interaction. The work is essentially a theoretical study although it derives from a comprehensive survey of the empirical evidence. It stresses the importance of the conceptual framework within which archaeological research is undertaken and aims to show that approaches currently employed in this area fail to explore the full potential of the existing data set. The survey therefore begins with a critical assessment of that data set and the factors both natural and anthropogenic which have affected the existing record. Comprehending the use of space is seen as fundamental to understanding past society. An initial analysis of settlement morphology is developed into a series of studies examining spatial patterning on a variety of scales. Quantitative techniques for the analysis of patterning at inter and intra-site levels are introduced. The observed patterns are seen to relate to social organisation and different social formations across space and time are identified. The idea
settlement society later_prehistory north_east_england study_examines evidence later_prehistoric romano_british settlement county north_east_england aim_explore way landscape_archaeology use gain social_interaction work essentially theoretical study although derives comprehensive_survey empirical_evidence stress_importance conceptual_framework within archaeological undertaken aim_show approach currently employ area fail explore full_potential exist data_set survey therefore_begin critical_assessment data_set factor natural anthropogenic affect exist record use_space see fundamental past_society initial analysis settlement_morphology develop series study examine_spatial patterning variety scale quantitative technique analysis pattern inter intra_site level introduce observe pattern see relate social_organisation different social_formation across_space time identify idea