Ground stone studies have been dominated by a typological approach to artefact interpretation that has relied on the basic description of the appearance of an artefact in the condition in which it entered the archaeological record. Such a methodology has led to stagnation in understanding of ground stone artefacts because, unlike chipped stone and ceramic technologies, they display very little chronological change in typology. Ground stones were an important element in the development of settled life, large items such as querns could not be easily transported by nomadic groups, sedentary life and the adoption of agriculture and herding resulted in changes in the way that tools were designed and used. The Neolithic period saw an intensification in the everyday use of many forms of ground stone tool and the adequate description of the way this came about is a necessary step in the study of ground stone artefacts. The methodology that has been used in this thesis discards the previous static 'snapshot' view of artefacts in favour of an approach which takes into account the dynamic processes that each artefact underwent from initial sourcing of raw material to final discard and including episodes of breakage, reuse or reshaping during that time. The innovative methodology that has been employed involves a more detailed approach to the detection of ground stones in the archaeological record with the retrieval of ground stone debitage from wet sieving or flotation and the three dimensional recording of artefacts. The recording of the ground stone artefacts has been adapted to include information on previous use surfaces, indication of recycling or breakage, levels of fragmentation at point of deposition and includes the assemblage of debitage as would be the case in a chipped stone report. A programme of raw material sampling, including samples from both artefacts and nearby sources of similar rock types completes the strategy. The re-opening of the excavations at c;atalh6yuk under the direction of Hodder has provided a superlative opportunity with which to test the recording of the dynamics of ground stone use. The detailed excavation and recording strategy employed at the site in combination with the unusual location of the settlement on an alluvial fan, which renders it remote from any source of rock, makes it an ideal testing ground for my new approach. The GatalhayLik ground stone assemblage has formed the focus of the research presented here. In combination with other case studies (Pmarba!?1. Can Hasan, Konya Plain Survey, A!?lk" HayLik and Musular) I have explored the potential wider use of such methodology and the effect of different artefact collection and recording methods on the levels of interpretation that can be achieved.By challenging traditional methods of artefact recording I have shown that ground stone assemblages have the potential to yield information about previously unexplored aspects of the society and economy of the Neolithic period and because of their nature also elucidate changes in the daily activities of households from the onset of sedentism onwards

The thesis deals with figured iconography on pottery of approximately the second balf of the eighth century BC (the so-called 'Euboean period'), produced at the site ofpjthekoussai on the island oflschia in the Bay of Naples. Ancient testimonia on the origin of the settlers and the history of the site mainly come from Strabo and Livy, both writing in the time of the Emperor Augustus. Strabo (5.4.9) mentions that the site was once inhabited by Eretrians and ChaLcidians, and that the island suffered from volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Livy (8.22.5-6) says that tbe founders of Cumae' were from Euboean Chalcis: after landing on Aenaria and Pithekoussai, they de.cided to take their chance on tbe mainland. The differences between these accounts may be related to the different sources from wbich each writer drew his information - Strabo from tbe fourth-century historian Ephorus and Livy from Timaeus who was writing at about 300 BC. The study focuses on ~ethodological issues in the study of figured iconography arising from the nature of what may be loosely termed a multi-cultural context. Emphasis is placed on the manner in which distinctive aspects of the Pithekoussan context interact, rather than on treating specific traits as indicative of the presence of nationals of various origins. I This follows a trend in site publication publication towards the avoidance of equating style with the presence of people of various origins.2.In this thesis, we will rather attempt to understand the cultural practice] involved for those experiencing life in a community of mixed origins4 in the bay of Naples. Analysis of the style of locally produced figured pottery will be attempted on three levels. First, its iconography will be analyzed in detail, not merely with the intention of tracing the origins of individual stylistic elements or influences upon them, but to obtain insights into the creativity of artisans operating in a distinctive local context. Secondly, we will attempt to detect elements of a distinctive local identity (and to assess its development from the mid-eighth to the mid-seventh century) via close comparison with schemes from the Aegean, East and West. Finally, we will attempt to contextualize the iconographic programme from Pithekoussai wi-thin the wider spectrum of iconography from the Western world, considering also the social attitudes represented in the manner of use of this type of iconography at Pithekoussai. The aim of the thesis is not to present a complete alternative approach to the Pithekoussan material: this would be unwarranted, given the wide and extensive range of important publications of material from the site. It is rather to highlight the problems involved in the study of material from areas of such intensive cultural interaction.

This thesis reassesses the role played by monasticism in the social, economic and political changes of Late Antiquity in the eastern Mediterranean. In particular, it takes the Roman province of Syria as its primary arena, and argues that monasteries were more active in effecting social change in this region from the fourth to the seventh .centuries than has been previously supposed. In arguing for such a role, a theoretical deco~struction of the nature of archaeological research in Syria is carried out, and the reasons why the material culture of that region has been consistently left out of wider intellectual debates are demonstrated. Instead of monastic institutions being regarded as essentially separate from broader changes affecting the :nay rural society was organised, a more varied, dynamic model is proposed. Running contrary to many general commentaries on the late empire, which assert that the eastern Mediterranean maintained a consistent and successful taxation base, it is argued instead that more complex, localised methods of socio-economic control can be recognised archaeologically. Instead of there being a lack of social transformation until the seventh or eighth centuries in the eastern Mediterranean, it can be suggested that some areas in fact witnessed a shift from a predominantly tax-based economy to one where tribute was given to rural institutions as early as the fifth century. By examining both the internal morphology of monastic sites as well as their broader relationship with topography and surrounding settlement patterns, a case can be made that monasteries were at the forefront of this shift. A landscape approach is adopted in order to scrutinise this model, using an archaeological data set from the limestone massif of northwest Syria. Three specific case studies are then used to contextualise these broad conclusions. This thesis brings together information from a number of previous surveys in the. region throughout the twentieth century, with results obtained through my own fieldwork undertaken in 2003 and 2004.

The collapse and end of Roman Britain remains a topic of interest and debate, related to conceptual issues found in the disciplines ofboth archaeology and history. The collapse of Hadrian's Wall and the frontier ofnorthern England as a region also have yet to be adequately explained. Excavations on Hadrian's Wall over the past 25 years have revealed excellent evidence for late Roman military occupation as well as sub-Roman occupation at a number of sites (e.g. South Shields, Newcastle, Vindolanda, Birdoswald, and Carlisle). While each site has been considered individually, there has been limited comprehensive treatment. When all ofthese sites have been examined together, scholars have presented models oflimited use, due to their reliance on historical frameworks. A review ofthe organization ofthe late Roman military and the concept of frontiers suggests that a theoretically based perspective would generate more useful models for understanding the decline and collapse ofRoman frontiers. Community studies, with particular emphasis on military communities, are applied to the limitanei and late Roman frontier archaeology. A synthetic evaluation ofoccupation and activity along Hadrian's Wall from the 4th to 5th centuries AD was undertaken to consider the problem oflate Roman frontier collapse and transformation. Detailed case studies ofthree sectors ofHadrian's Wall indicated that there were more than 10 traits typical oflate Roman military sites. Extending detailed examination.to all the forts on the Wall and a number of forts throughout northern England revealed that these traits are found at all forts occupied in the later 4th century. Considered individually or en masse, these traits indicate the changing nature of military occupation ofnorthern England through the 4th century. The changing role of Hadrian's Wall through the 4th century is summarized, and a number ofinterpretations are provided by which to understand the archaeological evidence, followed by recommendations for future research.

No description available.

This study explores the nature, function and creation of in situ, three dimensional, full-scale reconstructions from both a professional archaeological and administrative vantage point. In situ, three-dimensional reconstructions are used at heritage sites throughout the world to interpret historical archaeological remains for visitors. This type of reconstruction is the most permanent and complete of the physical treatments used to interpret buildings that are no longer standing, presenting both great risk to the archaeological resource and the historical authenticity of the place, as well as the potential for enormous reward for both interpretation and education. This thesis analyzes criteria with potential to measure the success or failure of reconstructions and provide a broader understanding of how these buildings act as replacements for their vanished originals. Due to the large universe of reconstructions, data from 11 archaeologically-based reconstructions, at five sites associated with George Washington were identified to guide the discussion. The critical histories of these sites provide a textured understanding of reconstructions, and the role they play in shaping and creating a visible constructed past at tourist sites. The 11 Washington case studies are analyzed within a framework of statements from international restoration policies and national stricture guiding and shaping how reconstructions are created and how standing structures are assessed within the United States. This analysis looks at the entire history of the reconstruction, from its creation, to the present function and utilization of the building, relying upon a full understanding of the entire cultural history of the building and historic site to assess the reconstruction. Through this nuanced and detailed exploration, criteria are addressed and 14 emerge that appear to provide both a gauge for assessing completed reconstructions and a valid foundation to guide the decision-making process when heritage site administrators and managers discuss reconstruction as a means of interpretation.

The Introduction to Part I contains a discussion on the Economic and Archaeological icrportaace of amphorae - with particular reference to their value from a dating point of view, and to their essential difference in this respect from other Roman pottery some arguments in favour of the thesis that the globualr form originated from South Spain and a general classification of stamps. The main element in this part, however, is the Index of stamps.They are arranged in alphabetical order, and wherever possible have been dated - largely on the basis of site distribution and assigned a probable origin.

This thesis assesses the impact of a Cistercian monastery on the landscape and how, in its turn, the landscape influenced the monastery. It also tests some of the traditional early ideals of the Cistercians such as their attitude to colonisation, land clearance, administration of their territory and dealings with secular society. This study also goes beyond the monastic period and examines what effect the suppression of the monastery had on the landscape and community. The research of monasteries has tended to be insular and concentrate on the recording of their standing fabric or the excavation of the church and conventual buildings; however, this thesis approaches the subject from a different perspective and examines not only the abbey but its territory using archaeology, architecture, documents and map evidence in a holistic, ‘landscape’ manner. In order to understand why the monks chose Chippenham Forest for their monastery the geomorphology of the region and the pre-monastic landscape is first assessed since it probably affected later colonisation. Using the earthwork survey plan of the abbey features within the precinct are identified. It is clear that, following its suppression, the west range of the abbey was converted into a mansion house with gardens and parkland beyond, which are revealed on the plan. Similarly, archaeological evidence would suggest that similar conversions were undertaken at some granges. The abbey’s granges were located in diverse locations; some were in isolated positions while others were on the edge of existing settlements. It is also clear that the monks held manors at an early date, but within some of these manors there were also granges, thus the monks held a compact blocks of land in severalty, but also owned the demesne with tenants owing dues to the abbot.

No description available.

No description available.