| Abstract: |
The author draws on ancient sources in an attempt to place wine in its context within Roman society, and to glean information on how wine may have been perceived by those living outwith the Republic and early Empire, before going on to examine the evidence in southern Britain. The work considers evidence indicating the presence of wine during the later Iron Age on settlement sites, in burials on sites associated with salt production and possibly associated with temple or sanctuary sites. The evidence for each context is assessed with regard to both wine amphorae (predominantly Dressel 1A, 1B and 2--4) and bronze vessels, some of which can be identified with examples from the continent. Close attention is paid to the visibility of both these groups of objects in each context. The author argues that, on the basis of this evidence, commerce is not the primary force behind the arrival of wine in Britain, citing its presence in burials as an indication of its use in ritual. She analyses the use of wine in funerary rites and attempts to separate out customs which may have come with the wine from those which may indicate an entirely indigenous use of the drink. The use of wine in Late Iron Age burials is placed in its local context where evidence for a new religion may be indicated, and comparative material from continental Europe is considered. The author also examines the record for the appearance of wine on settlement sites, and suggests a mechanism of distribution correlating with that of the salt trade. Includes |
