Architecture, economics, and identity in Romano-British 'small towns'
An area overlooked in recent research is the meaning of architecture in the ill-defined category of sites known as small towns. Using the social psychology approaches of identity theory, social identity theory, and operant conditioning, this study examines the impact of Roman imperialism and the socio-economic changes that occurred on the island as reflected in the choice of architecture. Focusing on small towns is problematic due to difficulties with definition and site categorization. However, as settlements that were more complex than simple villages but more organic than the larger cities, they provide an opportunity to measure the socio-economic impact of Roman imperialism in the rural countryside. This thesis examines the meaning of architectural variation in small towns by investigating the shifting use of construction techniques and building types in comparison with personal artifacts. Data was collected from published site reports and entered into a simple geo-spatial database where broad trends were analyzed to reveal general patterns over space and time. Detailed case studies were then examined from sites that showed some shared characteristics in this initial analysis. Different patterns became
Rust, Thomas C.
Architecture, economics, and identity in Romano-British 'small towns'. An area overlooked in recent research is the meaning of architecture in the ill-defined category of sites known as small towns. Using the social psychology approaches of identity theory, social identity theory, and operant conditioning, this study examines the impact of Roman imperialism and the socio-economic changes that occurred on the island as reflected in the choice of architecture. Focusing on small towns is problematic due to difficulties with definition and site categorization. However, as settlements that were more complex than simple villages but more organic than the larger cities, they provide an opportunity to measure the socio-economic impact of Roman imperialism in the rural countryside. This thesis examines the meaning of architectural variation in small towns by investigating the shifting use of construction techniques and building types in comparison with personal artifacts. Data was collected from published site reports and entered into a simple geo-spatial database where broad trends were analyzed to reveal general patterns over space and time. Detailed case studies were then examined from sites that showed some shared characteristics in this initial analysis. Different patterns became
architecture economics identity romano_british town area overlook recent meaning architecture ill defined category site know small_town using social_psychology approach identity theory social_identity theory conditioning study_examines impact_roman imperialism socio_economic change_occur island reflect choice architecture focusing small_town problematic due_difficulty definition site categorization however settlement complex simple village organic large_city provide_opportunity measure socio_economic impact_roman imperialism rural countryside examines mean architectural variation small_town investigate shift use construction_technique build type comparison personal artifact data_collect publish site report enter simple geo spatial database broad trend analyze reveal general pattern space_time detailed_case study examine site show share characteristic initial analysis different_pattern become