While the rural settlements of Wales and the Marches have often been used as a backdrop to the study of the military, this book seeks to move beyond a simplistic Roman/native dichotomy to present a more nuanced understanding of the nature and development of rural settlement during the Roman period. It takes advantage of the recent rise of big data approaches to analyse the distribution of settlements and material culture and to explore the regional diversity, economic basis, and social practice of rural settlements. A methodology for the analysis of regional ceramic assemblages is also presented and offers both a new perspective on the distribution of ceramics in the region and a reappraisal of rural engagement in networks of trade and production. The evidence presented demonstrates that, far from being a homogenous region peripheral to Roman Britain, Wales and the Marches were far more diverse and dynamic than previous work has suggested.

AUTHOR
Leah Reynolds completed her PhD at the School of History, Archaeology and Religion at Cardiff University in 2019. Her research interests lie in the settlements and material culture of Wales and the Marches during the Roman period.

REVIEWS
'Leah’s study is a very welcome addition to the subject of Iron Age and Roman settlement in Wales and the Marches; it crucially bridges the gap between IA and Roman studies - contextualising both - and displays its modern approach and up to date datasets in its opening literature reviews. This is a very valuable new statement on the subject, and will be widely read when published. I can’t think that any other recent publication so thoroughly covers the same ground.’ Dr Toby Driver, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

‘The work makes a significant contribution to Romano-British archaeology, and not just in relation to its region of focus, as it is an exemplary study in the use of the very important Rural Settlement Project datasets. It provides further evidence of the importance of sub-regional variation within what have been treated as relatively homogenous parts of the Roman province.’ Dr Andrew Gardner, University College London