Styles of Romano-British cremation and associated deposition in south-east England
This thesis develops and tests an analytical method of delineating ritual styles within the context of a particular type of ritual sequence: Roman period cremation and associated deposition. Part one deals with theoretical issues, initially discussing the inherent problem of seeking 'monolithic' meanings for ritual sequences, focussing attention on the reconstruction of ritual action from the archaeological record, and developing diagnostic indices (selection and modification of objects, temporal and spatial features) along which ritual sequences might be compared, and profiles of ritual styles at regional, local, site- and burial- level produced. A method that will take account not only of homogeneity but also diversity at these levels is proposed. Current theoretical debates on cremation and associated deposition are then re-evaluated. Finally the methodology used is outlined and discussed, with particular emphasis on transparency of analytical criteria. Parts two and three report findings, developing profiles of cremation and associated cremation burials from east Kent case studies focussed on Canterbury and comparative case studies from Colchester, Essex, and east London respectively. Part four compares
Weekes, Jason Richard
Styles of Romano-British cremation and associated deposition in south-east England. This thesis develops and tests an analytical method of delineating ritual styles within the context of a particular type of ritual sequence: Roman period cremation and associated deposition. Part one deals with theoretical issues, initially discussing the inherent problem of seeking 'monolithic' meanings for ritual sequences, focussing attention on the reconstruction of ritual action from the archaeological record, and developing diagnostic indices (selection and modification of objects, temporal and spatial features) along which ritual sequences might be compared, and profiles of ritual styles at regional, local, site- and burial- level produced. A method that will take account not only of homogeneity but also diversity at these levels is proposed. Current theoretical debates on cremation and associated deposition are then re-evaluated. Finally the methodology used is outlined and discussed, with particular emphasis on transparency of analytical criteria. Parts two and three report findings, developing profiles of cremation and associated cremation burials from east Kent case studies focussed on Canterbury and comparative case studies from Colchester, Essex, and east London respectively. Part four compares
romano cremation associate deposition south_east england develops test analytical_method delineate ritual style within_context particular_type ritual sequence roman_period cremation associate deposition part_one deal theoretical_issue initially discuss inherent problem seek monolithic meaning ritual sequence focus_attention reconstruction ritual_action archaeological_record develop diagnostic index selection modification object temporal_spatial feature along ritual sequence might compare profile ritual style regional_local site burial level produce method take_account homogeneity also diversity level propose current theoretical debate cremation associate deposition re_evaluated finally use outline discussed particular_emphasis transparency analytical criterion parts two_three report finding develop profile cremation associate cremation_burial east kent case_study focus canterbury comparative_case_study essex east_london respectively part compare