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Re-thinking the Southern British Oppida : Networks, Kingdoms and Material Culture

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2017

Martin Pitts
Martin Pitts*
Affiliation:
University of Exeter, UK
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Abstract

This article examines the role of a range of large settlements in late Iron Age and early Roman southern Britain (c. 100 BC–AD 70) conventionally described as oppida. After reviewing current perspectives on the function and chronology of British oppida, new insights are provided through the statistical analysis of assemblages of brooches and imported ceramics at a broad sample of sites. Analysis of material culture reveals distinct similarities and differences between several groups of sites, often transcending regional traditions and supposed tribal boundaries. This patterning is primarily explained by the emergence of new forms of political organization prior to Roman annexation, particularly the creation of the Southern and Eastern Kingdoms.

Cet article examine le rôle d'un éventail de grands villages en Angleterre du Sud datant de l'âge du fer récent et de la première époque romaine (env. 100 BC à 70 AD), conventionnellement décrits comme oppida. Après une revue des opinions courantes sur la fonction et la chronologie des oppida britanniques, l'analyse statistique d'ensembles de fibules et de céramique importée sur un vaste échantillon de sites ouvre des nouvelles perspectives. Des analyses de la culture matérielle révèlent des distinctes similarités et différences entre plusieurs groupes de sites, reflétant généralement la transmission de traditions régionales, et les frontières tribales présumées. Ce schéma est essentiellement expliqué par l'émergence de nouvelles formes d'organisation politique antérieurement à l'annexion romaine, notamment la création des royaumes méridionaux et orientaux.

Zusammenfassung

Zusammenfassung

Diese Studie untersucht die Rolle einer Reihe großer Siedlungen während der späten Eisenzeit und der frührömischen Periode in Südbritannien (ca. 100 BC und 70 AD), die gemeinhin als Oppida beschrieben werden. Nach der Überprüfung der derzeitigen Perspektiven der Funktion und Chronologie der britischen Oppida werden durch die statistische Analyse von Fibeln und importierter Keramik aus einer großen Anzahl von Fundplätzen neue Erkenntnisse erzielt. Die Analyse der materiellen Kultur ergibt klare Ähnlichkeiten und Unterschiede zwischen verschiedenen Gruppen von Fundplätzen, oft überschrittene regionale Traditionen und angenommene Stammesgrenzen. Dieses Bild wird hauptsächlich mit der Erscheinung neuer Formen politischer Organisation vor der römischen Besetzung erklärt, insbesondere mit der Gründung der südlichen und des östlichen Königreiche.

Keywords

broochescorrespondence analysisidentityimportslate Iron Age Britainnetworksoppidapotteryfibulesanalyse des correspondancesidentitéimportationâge du fer britannique récentréseauxoppidapoterieFibelnKorrespondenzanalyseIdentitätImporteBritannien inder SpäteisenzeitNetzwerkeOppidaKeramik
Type
Articles
Information
European Journal of Archaeology , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , 2010 , pp. 32 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © 2010 Sage Publications 

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