Hi304B Special Study 4 Tribe, Civitas and Kingdom: an investigation of cultural continuity from late Iron Age to early medieval Wales (offered in 2007-8)

This special subject will allow students to investigate the Iron Age/Romano British and sub-Roman/early medieval interfaces in depth. The module focuses on the evidence available to inform our understanding of the transition from late Iron Age to Romano-British and subsequently sub-Roman Britain to post-Roman British society with special reference to Wales. Both historical and archaeological evidence will be addressed. The area around the Caerleon campus has unparalleled resources for studying this period. Within walking distance of the University are the Iron Age fortification of Lodge Hill and the great legionary fortress of Caerleon. A little further afield, we will visit more hill forts, the Roman civilian centre at Caerwent, and some early medieval settlement sites.

Like all the Special Study modules, this one allows you to share the research interests of members of the History team. You will be able to study with people who are undertaking major ground-breaking research on the Iron Age, Roman and early medieval periods. Dr. Ray Howell is one of the editors of volume 1 of the Gwent County History, which covers the prehistoric and early medieval periods. His book on the Silures, the major Iron Age tribe in south Wales, has just been published by Sutton. Dr. Jon Kissock is excavating Roman and early medieval sites in Gower and shedding new light on the process of Roman settlement, the transition from Roman to early medieval and Christianisation in west Glamorgan. As third-year students, you will be expected to negotiate a topic for detailed study, identify and locate primary and secondary sources, and report on your findings to the class. (You will be studying with second-year students as well, and they will be hoping to learn from you.)

Course content

You will consider the following topics:

• Late Iron Age, Romano-British and early medieval society: the historical and archaeological evidence of these periods.
• Iron Age society in southeast Wales
• Aspects of surviving native tradition in Romano-British society.
• The decline of the civitates and emergence of early medieval kingdoms.
• The church in the West.
• Sites demonstrating Iron Age, Roman and early medieval domestic occupation.
• Evidence for hillfort occupation and re-occupation in the early medieval period.
• Evidence for continuity on late Roman sites into the 5 th to 7 th centuries.

By the end of the module you should be able to :

• Show an understanding of the major stages and specific designated aspects of the transition from tribal Iron Age societies to Roman Britain and from Roman administration to post Roman kingship.
• Negotiate a research topic.
• Identify and locate sources on their chosen topic including historical, archaeological and fieldwork studies.
• Evaluate the material found with an awareness of contradictions in interpretation and ways to resolve such differences.
• Evaluate, analyse and synthesise material with limited guidance.
• Engage in debate relating to current research in the subject area.

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

Coursework: 75% (at level 6, 25% presentation, 75% written assignment)
Examination 25%  

Assessment at level 6 will include an assessed presentation which will provide the basis for an essay of not more than 3,000 words. Students at level 6 will negotiate their own topics. The presentation and assignment should demonstrate in-depth knowledge of secondary sources, good awareness of theoretical issues, the ability to identify, locate, analyse and evaluate primary and secondary source material and the ability to place detailed studies in a broader context.

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Go to online resources (in progress)

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