The Iron Age archaeology of the upper Thames and north Oxfordshire region, with especial reference to the eastern Cotswolds
This thesis considers the development of settlement landscapes in the Iron Age across two adjacent regions, the upland eastern Cotswolds and lowland upper Thames valley. Previous studies have focused on the differences in settlement form, economic practice and social development and therefore the possible dichotomy of heartland and hinterland landscapes. It is clear, however, that this is due to an imbalance of research brought about as a result of the natural landscape, interests of antiquarians and archaeologists and modern settlement focus and development. A new dataset of cropmark and geophysical survey material is presented as a way of redressing the imbalance. The focus within this study on banjo enclosures also provides an opportunity to analyse what remains a relatively enigmatic and understudied site-type that appeared during the Middle and Late Iron Age. The results illustrated and discussed here provide the chance to outline new narratives that take into account both practical and non-functional interpretations. From this, more is elucidated regarding these sites within the context of Middle and Late Iron Age settlement landscape developments. By integrating this new dataset within the wider context
Lang, Alexander Thomas Orr
Archeology ; Landscape ; Settlement ; British Archaeology ; Iron Age ; Thames Valley ; Cotswolds ; Iron Age Settlement ; Banjo Enclosures ; Aerial Survey ; Geophysical Survey
The Iron Age archaeology of the upper Thames and north Oxfordshire region, with especial reference to the eastern Cotswolds. This thesis considers the development of settlement landscapes in the Iron Age across two adjacent regions, the upland eastern Cotswolds and lowland upper Thames valley. Previous studies have focused on the differences in settlement form, economic practice and social development and therefore the possible dichotomy of heartland and hinterland landscapes. It is clear, however, that this is due to an imbalance of research brought about as a result of the natural landscape, interests of antiquarians and archaeologists and modern settlement focus and development. A new dataset of cropmark and geophysical survey material is presented as a way of redressing the imbalance. The focus within this study on banjo enclosures also provides an opportunity to analyse what remains a relatively enigmatic and understudied site-type that appeared during the Middle and Late Iron Age. The results illustrated and discussed here provide the chance to outline new narratives that take into account both practical and non-functional interpretations. From this, more is elucidated regarding these sites within the context of Middle and Late Iron Age settlement landscape developments. By integrating this new dataset within the wider context
iron_age archaeology upper thames north oxfordshire region especial reference eastern considers development settlement_landscape iron_age across adjacent region upland eastern lowland upper thames_valley previous_study focus difference settlement form economic practice social_development therefore possible dichotomy heartland hinterland landscape clear_however due imbalance bring natural_landscape interest archaeologist modern settlement focus development new dataset geophysical survey material present way redress_imbalance focus within study enclosure also_provide opportunity analyse remain_relatively enigmatic understudied site_type appear middle_late iron_age illustrate discussed provide chance outline new narrative take_account practical non functional interpretation elucidate regard site within_context middle_late iron_age_settlement landscape development integrate new dataset within_wide context