14th November 2014, 10:51 AM
(This post was last modified: 14th November 2014, 10:57 AM by kevin wooldridge.)
My understanding from the systems of the eastern empire was that initially the ceramics trade was controlled directly by the Roman military and latterly was franchised out. Could the drop in the quantity of ceramics have something to do with a withdrawal of the army and/or its franchisees? As I said previously I am not convinced that the occurrence of ceramics in post-Roman England was any greater or any less than late Iron Age societies elsewhere in northern Europe. Surely we should be comparing the frequency against Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway etc etc for the true picture.....
Afterthought: It occurred to me that the Roman withdrawal at the beginning of the 5th century has a potential parallel with those who are pressing for the UK to leave the EU after the next general election. Could archaeology provide a valuable parallel for what happens when a country is economically separated from a trading market it has come to rely on in its recent past? Welcome to the Dark Ages!
Afterthought: It occurred to me that the Roman withdrawal at the beginning of the 5th century has a potential parallel with those who are pressing for the UK to leave the EU after the next general election. Could archaeology provide a valuable parallel for what happens when a country is economically separated from a trading market it has come to rely on in its recent past? Welcome to the Dark Ages!
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...