The differential use of constructed sacred space in southern Britain, from the late Iron Age to the 4th century AD
The principal aim of the thesis has been to examine the development of constructed cult loci from the late Iron Age to the late Roman period in southern Britain, focusing on the differential use of internal space. Following an initial review of the interpretative parameters used in the archaeological identification of constructed cult sites, the evidence for such loci within an Iron Age context was critically re-examined. This has led to the conclusion that not only were such sites very rare and geographically dispersed, but they were confined in most cases to the ultimate pre-Roman and Roman transition periods. It is suggested that this development may have been at least partly induced by an internal increase in societal specialisation and political hierarchy, in addition to external influences from Roman Gaul. Contextual analysis of constructed cult sites has led to the conclusion that, at least within the Roman period, they were integral parts of the political, commercial, social and ideological world of those that surrounded them. Furthermore, their virtual absence from certain areas implies that the concept of constructed sacred space as a whole did generally not find expression outside of those areas
Smith, Alexander
Sacred space ; Temples ; Roman ; Antiquities ; Celts ; Prehistoric Britain
The differential use of constructed sacred space in southern Britain, from the late Iron Age to the 4th century AD. The principal aim of the thesis has been to examine the development of constructed cult loci from the late Iron Age to the late Roman period in southern Britain, focusing on the differential use of internal space. Following an initial review of the interpretative parameters used in the archaeological identification of constructed cult sites, the evidence for such loci within an Iron Age context was critically re-examined. This has led to the conclusion that not only were such sites very rare and geographically dispersed, but they were confined in most cases to the ultimate pre-Roman and Roman transition periods. It is suggested that this development may have been at least partly induced by an internal increase in societal specialisation and political hierarchy, in addition to external influences from Roman Gaul. Contextual analysis of constructed cult sites has led to the conclusion that, at least within the Roman period, they were integral parts of the political, commercial, social and ideological world of those that surrounded them. Furthermore, their virtual absence from certain areas implies that the concept of constructed sacred space as a whole did generally not find expression outside of those areas
differential use construct sacred_space southern_britain century principal_aim examine_development construct cult locus late_roman_period southern_britain focus differential use internal space following initial review interpretative parameter use archaeological identification construct cult_site evidence locus within iron_age context critically re_examined lead_conclusion site rare geographically disperse confine case ultimate pre_roman roman transition_period suggest development may least partly induced internal increase societal specialisation political hierarchy addition external_influence roman gaul contextual_analysis construct cult_site lead_conclusion least within roman_period integral_part political_commercial social_ideological world surround them furthermore virtual absence certain_area implies concept construct sacred_space whole generally expression outside area