At the edge of Empire : Iron Age and early Roman metalwork in the East Midlands
This thesis explores the encounter between East Midlands Iron Age communities and the Roman world from 150 BC to AD 150, through the study of coins and other small portable metalwork (brooches, miniatures, toiletry items, and horse-gear). It combines scientific analysis with an investigation of production evidence, hoarding patterns and the spatial distribution of artefacts to investigate the flows of knowledge and materials through social networks. A broader framework for interpretation is provided by comparison with early colonial North America (AD 1580â1775). The results illuminate the construction of new colonial identities through the interaction of Iron Age and Roman systems of value. Before 50 BC, British communities were enmeshed in Gallic prestige exchange networks. Gallic gold provided the raw materials for the first insular coin series: all were yellow-gold coins of a standard weight, suggesting a broadly shared discourse on the nature of coinage. After the Roman conquest of Gaul and Caesarâs expeditions to Britain, there was massive upheaval in insular coin production. The new red-gold and silver issues were most likely underwritten by gifts of Roman bullion to southern British client rulers.
Farley, Julia Marie-Anne
At the edge of Empire : Iron Age and early Roman metalwork in the East Midlands. This thesis explores the encounter between East Midlands Iron Age communities and the Roman world from 150 BC to AD 150, through the study of coins and other small portable metalwork (brooches, miniatures, toiletry items, and horse-gear). It combines scientific analysis with an investigation of production evidence, hoarding patterns and the spatial distribution of artefacts to investigate the flows of knowledge and materials through social networks. A broader framework for interpretation is provided by comparison with early colonial North America (AD 1580â1775). The results illuminate the construction of new colonial identities through the interaction of Iron Age and Roman systems of value. Before 50 BC, British communities were enmeshed in Gallic prestige exchange networks. Gallic gold provided the raw materials for the first insular coin series: all were yellow-gold coins of a standard weight, suggesting a broadly shared discourse on the nature of coinage. After the Roman conquest of Gaul and Caesarâs expeditions to Britain, there was massive upheaval in insular coin production. The new red-gold and silver issues were most likely underwritten by gifts of Roman bullion to southern British client rulers.
edge empire iron_age early_roman metalwork east_midlands explore encounter east_midlands iron_age community roman_world study coin small portable metalwork brooch miniature item horse combine scientific_analysis investigation production evidence hoard pattern spatial_distribution artefact investigate flow knowledge material social_network broad_framework interpretation provide comparison early colonial north_america illuminate construction new colonial identity interaction iron_age_roman system value british community enmesh gallic prestige exchange_network gallic gold provide raw_material first insular coin series yellow gold coin standard weight suggest broadly share discourse nature coinage roman_conquest gaul caesar expedition britain massive upheaval insular coin production new red gold_silver issue likely gift roman southern british client ruler