Introduction to Roman Archaeology

This module is taught primarily in a lecture format and offers an introduction to the material culture of the Greco-Roman world.

Following a short introduction to the module and the historical background, we then examine various sources of archaeological evidence for the Roman world including field work, pottery, coins, epigraphy and `small finds'. These sources of evidence are then used to examine various groups within Roman society including the bosses, women, the army and slaves. Following this, a number of themes are examined including approaches to Roman urbanism, the countryside, Rome and her neighbours and the later Roman Empire. The emphasis throughout the module is on the contribution of archaeological evidence to the debates discussed.

This module is designed to give students:

a broad understanding of the types of data available to archaeologists of the Roman world, their potential and their limitations
a broad understanding of Roman social structure and social relations;
a broad understanding of the development of the Roman world, its expansion, transformation and legacy;
an introduction to current debates in Roman archaeology