Territorial oppida and the transformation of landscape and society in south-eastern Britain from BC 300 to 100 AD
Territorial oppida, defined as large-scale ditched sites, are an often discussed but poorly understood phenomena of the Late Iron Age/Roman transition period in south-eastern Britain. Previous research has attempted to compare known examples, however, classification and interpretation remain problematic. While it is understood that the emergence of oppida formed an integral part of a range of changes occurring in Late Iron Age south-east Britain, our knowledge of how they were used and for what purpose(s) remains limited. This thesis aims to advance the study of oppida by developing an innovative theoretical and methodological approach to examine their social structure on multiple scales (people, groups, regions). An understanding of the development of British oppida research, in parallel to considering the wider changes within British Iron Age and Roman studies, provides the context for a reconsideration of the function, social structure and temporal transformations of territorial oppida. The multi-scalar approach adopted in this research reinvigorates past theoretical perspectives, emphasising meaning-laden/human-centred studies of landscapes and the examination of identity and social practice. The areas
Garland, N. J.
Territorial oppida and the transformation of landscape and society in south-eastern Britain from BC 300 to 100 AD. Territorial oppida, defined as large-scale ditched sites, are an often discussed but poorly understood phenomena of the Late Iron Age/Roman transition period in south-eastern Britain. Previous research has attempted to compare known examples, however, classification and interpretation remain problematic. While it is understood that the emergence of oppida formed an integral part of a range of changes occurring in Late Iron Age south-east Britain, our knowledge of how they were used and for what purpose(s) remains limited. This thesis aims to advance the study of oppida by developing an innovative theoretical and methodological approach to examine their social structure on multiple scales (people, groups, regions). An understanding of the development of British oppida research, in parallel to considering the wider changes within British Iron Age and Roman studies, provides the context for a reconsideration of the function, social structure and temporal transformations of territorial oppida. The multi-scalar approach adopted in this research reinvigorates past theoretical perspectives, emphasising meaning-laden/human-centred studies of landscapes and the examination of identity and social practice. The areas
territorial oppida transformation landscape society south_eastern britain territorial oppida define large_scale site often discuss poorly_understood phenomena transition_period south_eastern britain previous_attempt compare know example however classification interpretation remain_problematic understood emergence oppida form_integral part range change_occur south_east britain knowledge use purpose remain limited aim_advance study oppida develop innovative theoretical_methodological examine social_structure multiple scale people group region development british oppida parallel consider wider change within british iron_age_roman study provide_context reconsideration function social_structure temporal transformation territorial oppida multi_scalar adopt past theoretical_perspective emphasise meaning laden human centred study landscape examination identity social_practice area