Beyond native and invader : a re-evaluation of the Romano-British period in Cumbria
The ânativeâ population in Roman Cumbria, the majority of whom are thought to have lived in farmsteads in the countryside beyond the civitas at Carlisle, forts, and vici, continues to be defined by its difference to the âinvaderâ. This is not only a result of the nature of the artefactual record but of the history of research in the region which continues to influence the creation of archaeological narratives, with perhaps the most pervasive problem being a continuing reliance on analogies. Instead, by studying artefact assemblages from ânativeâ farmsteads on their own merits and taking a critical, self-reflective approach to their interpretation, it is possible to create a more dynamic model which posits that people and âthingsâ have the ability to move within and between two separate, yet co-dependent, âspheresâ of exchange. As expected, the process of analysis demonstrated that the material âfingerprintsâ of pottery and glass assemblages are very different at farmsteads, forts, and vici in Cumbria. Existing narratives have tended to interpret this as either a result of the poverty or disinterest of the ânativeâ, or that they were actively resisting the influence of the âinvaderâ.
Peacock, Jennifer
CC Archaeology ; DA Great Britain
Beyond native and invader : a re-evaluation of the Romano-British period in Cumbria. The ânativeâ population in Roman Cumbria, the majority of whom are thought to have lived in farmsteads in the countryside beyond the civitas at Carlisle, forts, and vici, continues to be defined by its difference to the âinvaderâ. This is not only a result of the nature of the artefactual record but of the history of research in the region which continues to influence the creation of archaeological narratives, with perhaps the most pervasive problem being a continuing reliance on analogies. Instead, by studying artefact assemblages from ânativeâ farmsteads on their own merits and taking a critical, self-reflective approach to their interpretation, it is possible to create a more dynamic model which posits that people and âthingsâ have the ability to move within and between two separate, yet co-dependent, âspheresâ of exchange. As expected, the process of analysis demonstrated that the material âfingerprintsâ of pottery and glass assemblages are very different at farmsteads, forts, and vici in Cumbria. Existing narratives have tended to interpret this as either a result of the poverty or disinterest of the ânativeâ, or that they were actively resisting the influence of the âinvaderâ.
beyond native invader re_evaluation romano_british_period cumbria native_population roman cumbria majority think live farmstead countryside beyond civitas carlisle fort continue define difference invader nature artefactual record history_region continue_influence creation archaeological narrative perhaps pervasive problem continue reliance analogy instead study artefact assemblage native farmstead merit take critical self reflective interpretation possible create dynamic model posit people thing ability move within two_separate yet dependent spheres exchange expect process analysis demonstrate material fingerprint pottery glass assemblage different farmstead fort cumbria existing narrative tend interpret either poverty native actively resist influence invader