Artefacts in Roman Britain
Their Purpose and Use

Helps the student understand the numerous artefacts from Roman Britain and what they reveal about life in the province.

Lindsay Allason-Jones (Edited by)

9780521677523, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 10 February 2011

376 pages, 80 b/w illus. 3 tables
24.6 x 17.4 x 1.7 cm, 0.73 kg

"Highly recommended." -Choice

Roman Britain has given us an enormous number of artefacts. Yet few books available today deal with its whole material culture as represented by these artefacts. This introduction, aimed primarily at students and general readers, begins by explaining the process of identifying objects of any period or material. A series of themed chapters, written by experts in their particular area of interest, then discusses artefacts from the point of view of their use. The contributors' premise is that every object was designed for a particular purpose, which may have been to satisfy a general need or the specific need of an individual. If the latter, the maker, the owner and the end user may have been one and the same person; if the former, the manufacturer had to provide objects that others would wish to purchase or exchange. Understanding this reveals a fascinating picture of life in Roman Britain.

Introduction Lindsay Allason-Jones
1. Commerce Richard Brickstock
2. Transport Nina Crummy
3. Industry W. H. Manning
4. Agriculture Sîan Rees
5. Military life M. C. Bishop
6. Writing and communication R. S. O. Tomlin
7. Domestic life Quita Mould
8. Lighting and heating Hella Eckhardt
9. Personal ornament Ellen Swift
10. Recreation Lindsay Allason-Jones
11. Medicine and hygiene Ralph Jackson
12. Religion Joanna Bird
13. Funerary rites Hilary Cool.

Subject Areas: Classical Greek & Roman archaeology [HDDK], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], British & Irish history [HBJD1]