Traditional approaches to Romano-British religious sites have often isolated temples from their wider context, focusing primarily on identifying deities, building plans, and religious art and artefacts. Recent developments in archaeological theory have provided the impetus to rethink these approaches, and try to understand temples and shrines in relation to their communities and social landscapes. Fieldwork at Teffont Roman shrine and the South Wiltshire temple, with research into the landscapes of central Somerset and south Wiltshire, is used to inform a wider reconsideration of religious sites in Wiltshire and Somerset, illuminating how people’s work, animals and identities affected their religious practices and beliefs.
David Roberts is a specialist in Roman and prehistoric landscape archaeology and excavation, with significant experience of project management in professional archaeology. His research focuses on understanding how people in the Roman and later prehistoric periods interacted with and understood the landscape around them, and how researching and understanding this can benefit our society today. Since 2010 he has directed Teffont Archaeology which has surveyed and excavated many Roman sites in Wiltshire and surrounding areas.
The talk is taking place at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16 Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HN on Thursday 12th February, 7.30pm, with an admission charge of £5 for members, and £7 for the general public. Pay on the door.