There are many books about Roman Britain, but arguably few as engaging as this one. Living on the Edge of Empire, The Objects and People of Hadrian's Wall offers a fascinating insight into the lives of those individuals living in the area around Hadrian's Wall through a varied and wide-ranging selection of artefacts. The artefacts included in the book range from the famous (such as the birthday party writing tablet from Vindolanda) to much lesser-known finds, which makes this book a particularly interesting read. The aim of the book is to explore the lives of those present at Hadrian's Wall over three centuries of occupation, using artefacts which are often forgotten outside of museum trips. If one is unable to visit the Wall in person, this book offers an excellent alternative for the armchair archaeologist. The language used is accessible and engaging, with colour photographs of the artefacts interspersed throughout its eight chapters. I could not recommend this book highly enough to fellow Roman Britain enthusiasts, for the reasons outlined below.
Firstly, the book provides a clear historical overview of the occupation of Hadrian's Wall and the chronology and geography are easy to follow. The situation and functions of Hadrian's Wall are contextualised, with the authors pointing out that Hadrian's Wall was only part of the Roman frontier, with the frontier itself extending far beyond that. A map is provided in the introduction which is helpful for understanding the location of finds. This book emphasises that Hadrian's Wall was far more than just a military frontier: it was a hub for military and civilian life, with its finds offering unrivalled insight into the social, religious, economic, military and civilian interactions between individuals during its 300 years of occupation. Indeed, the authors do not stop at the end of the Roman period, but instead consider subsequent occupations of Hadrian's Wall and the evidence from the period after the Romans were said to have left the island.
Secondly, the choice of objects sets this book apart. The artefacts discussed have been judiciously chosen, ranging from well-known and exquisite items to recent, rare and intriguing mystery finds. Even seemingly mundane objects are presented in such a way that they offer a personal and intimate window into the lives of those living on the Wall. Whilst the content is by nature from a military context, the authors have made great efforts to reflect the diversity of those living on the Wall as well as the communities and lives outside of the military settings. This is a really refreshing approach to what we know was a diverse period of occupation and is explored successfully through the themes chosen in the chapters. The objects are considered thematically in several dedicated chapters: communities and homes; dress and appearance; eating and drinking; security, business and pleasure; and finally, belief in life and death. Those which do not fall into a clear category find themselves in the penultimate chapter, titled ‘Unknowns’. This collection of mystery objects was a welcome and thought-provoking addition to the themes already considered in the previous chapters, with the authors suggesting possible uses for weird and wonderful unidentified Romano-British objects, and inviting the reader to consider the contexts of production and purposes. The final chapter, entitled ‘Last Days of the Roman Wall’ provides an interesting exposition of the end of the occupation of Hadrian's Wall and considers the changes which inevitably took place over the three centuries of its occupation. The chapter extends its scope beyond what is considered the official end of Roman rule in Britain, acknowledging the uncertainty of events in the early 5th century and the archaeological evidence for occupation and activity at the site beyond this date. For example, the granaries at Birdoswald were converted and eventually replaced with structures which may have been feasting halls, well into the 5th century. The inclusion of details about Anglo-Saxon England allows the significance of Hadrian's Wall to be fully appreciated in its context and prompts the reader to consider what subsequent periods of occupation may have made of Hadrian's Wall.
Thirdly, the book is easy to navigate and there are usually colour illustrations or photographs on most double pages. In many respects it is verging on a museum catalogue, or is reminiscent of a book accompanying a special exhibition. The focus is very much on what the artefacts, archaeology and objects can tell us, rather than making those items fit to the usual narrative. Where the conclusions are unclear, they are left open for future study rather than whittled out of the narrative altogether. Living on the Edge of Empire is far more than a collection of colour plates and commentary; this is a book which encourages scrutiny of source material and allows its readers to engage with the archaeological record themselves.
The fourth and final commendable aspect of this book which I would like to highlight is its usefulness for school teachers and those planning educational trips to Hadrian's Wall. The appendices contain a helpful index of museums and sites to visit (Appendix 1), such as Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort and the Tullie House Museum, as well as suggestions for further reading in Appendix 2. For each site or museum, Appendix 1 includes practical details such as the address, website, what can be found in each location, and whether or not there is an admission fee. This could save hours of research for those planning trips. Appendix 3 is also particularly useful for students or teachers wishing to find out more about the objects included in the book. Figure references are followed by the name of the object, the site at which it was discovered, the museum which holds that object, and the accession number. This is clearly a considered and carefully planned book, designed to be accessible for students and teachers, as well as those with an interest in Roman Britain. It is an enjoyable and easy read, with a few surprises along the way, and comes highly recommended.
Open access
