The bones at Binchester : an exploration of military and civilian identity through a zooarchaeological study of cattle remains from a Late Roman fort and vicus
The interrelationship between forts and their attached vici during the Late Roman Period is still not fully understood, particularly in the North of Britannia. Furthermore, the Late/sub-Roman transitional period remains a nebulous topic of archaeological investigation, obfuscated not only by a dearth of dateable artefacts, but also by a paucity of large-scale research focusing on this time period. The site of Binchester, located in Bishop Auckland, is ideal for providing unique insight into both of these areas. Binchester shows evidence of continuous occupation through the Late Roman Period and into the 6th century, providing insight into the Late/sub-Roman transitional period. Furthermore, the current project features the simultaneous excavation within both fort and vicus, yielding large amounts of cultural material from each location. Among the finds recovered from both areas are robust assemblages of animal bones of Late Roman date, with the likely presence of sub-Roman inclusions. These faunal remains, particularly the cattle bone, representing a majority in both assemblages, provide a unique window into the practices, exchange and interrelatedness of the fort and vicus inhabitants, giving insight into
Clegg, Cameron Burgess
The bones at Binchester : an exploration of military and civilian identity through a zooarchaeological study of cattle remains from a Late Roman fort and vicus. The interrelationship between forts and their attached vici during the Late Roman Period is still not fully understood, particularly in the North of Britannia. Furthermore, the Late/sub-Roman transitional period remains a nebulous topic of archaeological investigation, obfuscated not only by a dearth of dateable artefacts, but also by a paucity of large-scale research focusing on this time period. The site of Binchester, located in Bishop Auckland, is ideal for providing unique insight into both of these areas. Binchester shows evidence of continuous occupation through the Late Roman Period and into the 6th century, providing insight into the Late/sub-Roman transitional period. Furthermore, the current project features the simultaneous excavation within both fort and vicus, yielding large amounts of cultural material from each location. Among the finds recovered from both areas are robust assemblages of animal bones of Late Roman date, with the likely presence of sub-Roman inclusions. These faunal remains, particularly the cattle bone, representing a majority in both assemblages, provide a unique window into the practices, exchange and interrelatedness of the fort and vicus inhabitants, giving insight into
bone exploration military_civilian identity zooarchaeological study cattle remain late_roman fort interrelationship fort attach late_roman_period still fully_understood particularly north britannia furthermore late sub roman transitional_period remain topic archaeological_investigation dearth dateable artefact also paucity large_scale focusing time_period site locate bishop ideal provide_unique insight area show evidence continuous occupation late_roman_period century provide_insight late sub roman transitional_period furthermore current project feature simultaneous excavation within fort yield large_amount cultural material location among find recover area robust assemblage animal_bone late_roman date likely presence sub roman inclusion faunal_remains particularly cattle bone represent majority assemblage provide_unique window practice exchange fort inhabitant give_insight