Excavations of a Romano-British Templex Complex at Marcham/Frilford

[Melvadius]

In case it is of interest I have now posted a few photographs in my gallery showing the excavations I have been involved with at this site which is located a few miles to the south of Oxford.

 

As only a few foundations are left it possibly isn't the most photogenic of sites but despite that is a very interesting one as a browse through the site reports may explain; further details of the excavations are available at the Vale and Ridgeway Project

 

If anyone gets the annual Britannia magazine from the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies I understand that it will be carrying a full article on the current findings from this site when it next comes out in November.

[GhostOfClayton]

Interesting photos, Melvadius. Thanks for posting those (and adding the descriptions).

 

I'm quite interested in this concept of a "Semi-Amphitheatre". On the face of it, that would just be a Theatre - which it clearly isn't. Tell us more . . .

[Klingan]

Very much appreciated Melvadius! I take it that they only dig with paying students (I'm trying to find some British site where I could excavate for a few seasons, but I'm not going to pay them to work)?

[stella]

Very much appreciated Melvadius! I take it that they only dig with paying students (I'm trying to find some British site where I could excavate for a few seasons, but I'm not going to pay them to work)?

 

 

Hi Klingan

 

Current Archaeology publish a 'Digs' supplement each year in spring. It is a good, comprehensive guide to available digs in the UK. However, the majority of digs nowadays seem to be either training digs or those you have to pay for as a way of financing the excavation. This does make life difficult for those of us who have a few weeks to spare and who are happy to work for free, paying only for accommodation! The majority of volunteer digs take place in the summer months i.e to coincide with the University holidays. I will see if I can find my copy of the Guide and see if there are any suitable contacts for you as some digs run over several years.

[Medusa]

I'm quite interested in this concept of a "Semi-Amphitheatre". On the face of it, that would just be a Theatre - which it clearly isn't. Tell us more . . .

 

I came across this amphitheater in Frilford in two books:

 

Roy Wilding

"Roman Amphitheatres in England and Wales"

 

Tony Wilmott

"The Roman Amphitheatre in Britain"

 

Wilding states it as an amphitheater with timber seating on continous earth bank, in his book a category 1a (pp. 88-89). Wilmott refers to recent excavations and claims this structure to be seen more in a religious context(pp. 130-132). Just this a very short summary from those two books.

[GhostOfClayton]

I came across this amphitheater in Frilford in two books:

 

Roy Wilding

"Roman Amphitheatres in England and Wales"

 

Tony Wilmott

"The Roman Amphitheatre in Britain"

 

Wilding states it as an amphitheater with timber seating on continous earth bank, in his book a category 1a (pp. 88-89). Wilmott refers to recent excavations and claims this structure to be seen more in a religious context(pp. 130-132). Just this a very short summary from those two books.

 

Thanks Medusa. I did a little bit more research as well. There's not much, but I found this description:

 

"a cross between an amphitheatre and a theatre, commonly found in Gaul. . 40 metres in diameter, it has a circular stone wall, surrounded by an earth viewing bank which does not completely encircle the arena."

 

This description would seem to more closely fit the name, but most references, like the ones you referred to, seem to be for a complete viewing circle, rather than the more usual () shape (like two theatres built back-to-back - bit like an oval - does that shape have a name in geometry? Just looked it up on Wikipedia, and yes it does it's a 'Vesica Piscis'. How educated am I?)

 

I digress.

[caldrail]

This does represent an interesting change of emphasis in Roman religious life.

 

The old pagan temples are places of individual commune. It's the same principle as approaching your patron of a morning and asking for favours, possibly offering some service or something by way of a deal. So the pagan worshipper offers a small sacrifice (and archaeology has shown evidence there were market stalls attached so you could buy the required sacrificial object beforehand - How very Roman) and makes his request.

 

Christian worship of course is very much a communal affair and designed to be from the outset. Whereas an individual in private can request anything he likes, a congregation has a oderating effect on the members, a sort of peer pressure to observe certain behaviour, and in any case, you don't ask God in his temples for favours good or bad. Instead, you're asking to be considered as worthy.

 

Because this recent amphitheatre has a religious context, does that represent a communal service? This might represent christian influence or does it represent religion as entertainment?

 

That might seem a strange concept. Bear with me. Gladiatorial combat used similar facilities all over the empire and we know that despite it's blood sport appeal, it was based on religious observances, and retained much of the significance even though commercialisation had thoroughly converted the genre into a thriving business. So what if a pagan priest (for the sake of speculation) had decided to draw in more punters? Perhaps his 'sacrifice market stand' wasn't bringing in enough cash? So he begins to invite performances of a religious theme. Not quite the conformal mass worship of the christian era (though I accept that might well have been the case), but a pagan priest doing much the same as a modern christian preacher - putting on a show and making a handsome profit?

[Melvadius]

Thanks for the comments folks and Stella for flagging the Current Archaeology info, unfortunately I am up to my eyes at present so this is is a holding reply as I need some time to dig out a few references and reply properly.

 

I will edit this post in a couple of days.

[Melvadius]

Thanks for the comments folks and Stella for flagging the Current Archaeology info, unfortunately I am up to my eyes at present so this is is a holding reply as I need some time to dig out a few references and reply properly.

 

I will edit this post in a couple of days.

 

This took a bit longer than I expected to research so please accept my apologies for being a bit late:

 

Although promised for a couple of years Kamash

[GhostOfClayton]

<SNIP>

 

First rate research, Melvadius. Thorough, but to the point. Thanks.