Ancient and Archaeology permalink
Roman Scotland
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Message 1.Â
Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Thursday, 31st January 2008
The Roman Empire cast a long shadow. As a matter of policy Rome forged alliances with its neighbours, and spread its influence far outside the imperial boundaries. Physical evidence of this influence on Britain can be found as far away as Shetland.
In the last 75 years there have been three substantial surveys of Roman material culture from non-Roman Scottish sites, and the degree to which imported glass and ceramics circulated in Ireland and Britain in the immediate post-Roman era has also now become clearer. Despite this Scotland cannot rival Denmark the number and quality of Roman artefacts. For one thing sadly Iron Age Caledonians didn’t bury their dead with exotic imported objects, and they don't appear to have committed expensive metalwork to bogs.
Atlantic Scotland was never subjected to direct Roman rule, and there is no historically defined break in the settlement sequence from the Early Iron Age until the Viking period. The majority of broch sites seem to contain Roman objects although the significance that the Roman artefacts had for people in this region, and the routes by which they were transported from their origins to the locations where they entered the archaeological record, remain unclear. Sea routes must have been involved and clearly there was a great deal of shipping in the North Sea before the Vikings came on the scene.
If anyone knows of Roman objects on display on Scottish museums, or finds this topic of any interest at all I’d be glad to hear from you.
TP -
Message 2
Posted by RainbowFfolly (U3345048) on Thursday, 31st January 2008
Hi TwinProbe,
Cheers for starting this thread. I've a book on Roman art in Britain and I'm sure there are a couple of items found in Scotland (one being a statue or bust if I remember correctly). I'll have a look tonight when I get in.
Cheers,
RF -
Message 3
Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Thursday, 31st January 2008
Hi RF,
If you want to pursue Roman Scotland in a scholarly sense you must read 'Beyond the edge of empire - Caldonians, Picts and Romans' by Dr Fraser Hunter of the NMS. The book is quite outstanding in itself, and also provides many references. It costs a nugatory £5. Just 'google' Groam House Museum - and go from there.
Dr Hunter is the modern expert on this topic. Dr Euan Campbell is the author of another brilliant book devoted to the penetration of Mediterranean artefacts into Ireland and Britain in the post-Roman period. Both books would make wonderful birthday presents to oneself!
TP -
Message 4
Posted by RainbowFfolly (U3345048) on Thursday, 31st January 2008
Hi TwinProbe,
The book looks great but there's a problem - the museum is closed until March 1st and I can't seem to find anywhere else to buy it! Do you have any ideas? I'd prefer to know that the money is going to a museum as opposed to a book online bookstore but if needs must...
Cheers,
RF -
Message 5
Posted by an ex-nordmann - it has ceased to exist (U3472955) on Thursday, 31st January 2008
Have either of you read "The Iron Age in Northern Britain: Celts and Romans, natives and Invaders" by D W Harding?
I have it on a wish-list from when reading up about the "Atlantean" aspect of "Celtic" migrations and Harding seems from the reviews to be quite thorough in citing Roman influences in the region based on archaeology. -
Message 6
Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Thursday, 31st January 2008
Hi RF,
Not really, aside from speaking very nicely to your librarian. But the wait, if wait there is, will be worth it.
TP -
Message 7
Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Thursday, 31st January 2008
Hi Nordmann,
Yes, indeed; essential reading for those who are interested in Iron Age Scotland. It's not a coffee table book, as I'm sure you will appreciate, but it's packed full of information, and has plenty of line drawings and photographs to break up the text. The professional archaeologists I have spoken to regard the work with great respect. Better still Prof. Harding writes "the equation of Celts, whether ethnically or linguistically defined, with La Tene archaeological material is plainly an oversimplification and has too readily been assumed in the past". I get the distinct impression that you will agree with those sentiments.
Best wishes,
TP -
Message 8
Posted by Jak (U1158529) on Saturday, 2nd February 2008
Twin Probe:
If anyone knows of Roman objects on display in Scottish museums...Â
There's a pile of Roman stuff on display in the Antiquities Museum in Queen Street, Edinburgh - mostly from Trimontium (Newstead) I think - but I expect you knew about that already? -
Message 9
Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Saturday, 2nd February 2008
Hi Jak,
I've seen the stuff but I'm totally confused about Edinburgh museums. The Antiquities museum is the same as the Nation Museum of Scotland? The one with the treasure from Traprain Law and St Ninian's Isle, and the magnificent collection of Pictish jewellery and carved stones? I shall be in Edinburgh for another visit at Easter.
What I am mainly interested in is the Roman material that ends up in 'native' sites, rather than in Roman forts, although I entirely agree about the importance of Newstead.
With thanks,
TP -
Message 10
Posted by Jak (U1158529) on Saturday, 2nd February 2008
Twin Probe -
The Traprain Law and Newstead items are (or were) in the Antiquities Museum/Portrait Gallery on Queen Street - north of Princes St. Maybe with the opening of the new Museum (built as a warren-like extension to the R S Museum) in Chambers Street/Geo IV Bridge - south of Princes St - exhibits have been moved.
I'll go up to Queen St tomorrow, have a look around, and report back here.
It might save you a bit of wandering about! -
Message 11
Posted by Jak (U1158529) on Sunday, 3rd February 2008
Apologies, TwinProbe. The Roman items are now all in the "new" National Museum of Scotland and have been since 1998 when it opened, (which just seems like yesterday to me; jeez, I feel old).
The stuff from Newstead, the Traprain hoard, the St Ninians silver, the Pictish chain etc, and several tons of Pictish stones are all there, and nicely laid out.
This Museum is on the corner of Chambers Street and George IV Bridge, a short stroll south from Waverley railway station. They say there is car parking "nearby".
It is a frightful maze of a building - thanks to the architects and practitioners of "good design" - so your best plan is to ask at the front desk where the Pictish stones are. They're downstairs on the lowest floor, but you'll need help to find the stairs.
Take a ball of string to find your way out. Good luck! -
Message 12
Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Sunday, 3rd February 2008
Hi Jak,
Many thank for your efforts. I have visited the new museum once, and I'm sure I'll be able to find my way back at Easter. I'm very grateful to be reassured that there isn't a second collection of artefacts lurking anywhere. I won't take the nearby car-parking too seriously, nor will I need to when walking around Edinburgh is such a pleasure.
I am ashamed that the history and pre-history of Scotland form so small a portion of an 'English' education bu those of us with time and enthusiasm can remedy this in Scotland' capital.
Best wishes,
TP -
Message 13
Posted by Jak (U1158529) on Sunday, 3rd February 2008
No prob, TP. It was my first sighting of these Pictish items in their new-ish home, so I was quite glad of a reason to seek them out.
I had a look for the books mentioned above, but couldn't see them in the bookstall. (There are plenty about "the Celts" which I think I'd need advice from someone on this board before buying.
)
Did buy "A Gathering of Eagles - Scenes from Roman Scotland" (a new slim paperback) - by Gordon Maxwell, so should be OK.
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