A study of the deposition and distribution of copper alloy vessels in Roman Britain
The following thesis surveys the deposition and distribution of copper alloy vessels in Britain during the Roman period and then applies this data to the study of culture change and the construction of identity in the province during this time. The principal research strategy was to categorize the objects from published sources within four groups based on Depositional Context and to then examine these data-sets for patterns in geographic and temporal distribution, object form and decoration as well as patterns among the findspots where these objects were discovered. The copper alloy vessels themselves are classified using forms and typologies familiar from previous scholarship, though a new system for classifying handled pans was found necessary and is introduced in this thesis. Multiple patterns emerged within Depositional Contexts, Site Types and regional distribution relating to vessel selection and decoration which indicate a variety of practice by diverse peoples. This analysis argues that the principal function of copper alloy vessels in Roman Britain was for ablutions, whereas it has been previously proposed that most vessels were used for dining or drinking services. Additionally, the spread of copper
Lundock, Jason Richard
A study of the deposition and distribution of copper alloy vessels in Roman Britain. The following thesis surveys the deposition and distribution of copper alloy vessels in Britain during the Roman period and then applies this data to the study of culture change and the construction of identity in the province during this time. The principal research strategy was to categorize the objects from published sources within four groups based on Depositional Context and to then examine these data-sets for patterns in geographic and temporal distribution, object form and decoration as well as patterns among the findspots where these objects were discovered. The copper alloy vessels themselves are classified using forms and typologies familiar from previous scholarship, though a new system for classifying handled pans was found necessary and is introduced in this thesis. Multiple patterns emerged within Depositional Contexts, Site Types and regional distribution relating to vessel selection and decoration which indicate a variety of practice by diverse peoples. This analysis argues that the principal function of copper alloy vessels in Roman Britain was for ablutions, whereas it has been previously proposed that most vessels were used for dining or drinking services. Additionally, the spread of copper
study deposition distribution copper_alloy vessel roman_britain follow survey deposition distribution copper_alloy vessel britain roman period applies data study culture change construction_identity province time principal strategy categorize object publish_source within group base depositional_context examine data sets pattern geographic temporal distribution object form_decoration well pattern_among object discover copper_alloy vessel classify use form typology familiar previous_scholarship though new system classify handle pan find necessary introduced thesis multiple pattern_emerge within depositional contexts site types regional_distribution relate vessel selection decoration indicate variety practice diverse people analysis argue principal function copper_alloy vessel roman_britain whereas previously_propose vessel_use din drinking service additionally spread copper