Reinterpreting the Iron Age and Roman reuse of Megalithic tombs in Atlantic Europe
This thesis analyses the reuse of megalithic tombs in Atlantic Europe, between Scotland and Iberia, during the Iron Age and Roman periods (c. 800 BC--400 AD). Research on megalithic tombs has been dominated by prehistoric studies on megalithic origins, distributions, construction, classification, and use during the Neolithic period (c. 4000-2000 BC). Comparatively little has been done on the later lives of these sites, and such work has lacked a wider geographic context. By exploring the patterns and natures of subsequent interactions with megalithic tombs throughout Atlantic Europe, this thesis attempts to answer three central research questions. Firstly, are there patterns in the presence, or lack, of subsequent activity at megalithic tombs across this study area? Secondly, are there regional differences in the nature of interactions found at these sites? And finally, does the nature and pattern of reuse change between the Iron Age and Roman periods, and might such changes be a reflection of social memory in Roman- occupied versus non-Rom an-occupied territories, where Roman materials functioned within different social contexts?
Vejby, Mara Danielle Fadave
Reinterpreting the Iron Age and Roman reuse of Megalithic tombs in Atlantic Europe. This thesis analyses the reuse of megalithic tombs in Atlantic Europe, between Scotland and Iberia, during the Iron Age and Roman periods (c. 800 BC--400 AD). Research on megalithic tombs has been dominated by prehistoric studies on megalithic origins, distributions, construction, classification, and use during the Neolithic period (c. 4000-2000 BC). Comparatively little has been done on the later lives of these sites, and such work has lacked a wider geographic context. By exploring the patterns and natures of subsequent interactions with megalithic tombs throughout Atlantic Europe, this thesis attempts to answer three central research questions. Firstly, are there patterns in the presence, or lack, of subsequent activity at megalithic tombs across this study area? Secondly, are there regional differences in the nature of interactions found at these sites? And finally, does the nature and pattern of reuse change between the Iron Age and Roman periods, and might such changes be a reflection of social memory in Roman- occupied versus non-Rom an-occupied territories, where Roman materials functioned within different social contexts?
iron_age_roman reuse megalithic tombs atlantic europe analyse reuse megalithic tomb atlantic europe scotland iberia iron_age_roman period megalithic tomb dominate prehistoric study megalithic origin distribution construction classification use neolithic_period comparatively little later live site work lack wider geographic context explore pattern nature subsequent interaction megalithic tomb throughout atlantic europe attempt_answer central_question firstly pattern presence lack subsequent activity megalithic tomb across study_area secondly regional_difference nature interaction find site finally nature pattern reuse change iron_age_roman period might change reflection social memory roman occupy versus non rom occupied territory roman material function_within different social_context