Centre for Late Antique Archaeology
Directed by Luke Lavan and Ellen Swift
The Centre for Late Antique Archaeology is an international research
group focusing on the emerging discipline of Late Antique Archaeology.
This is the study of all aspects of life in the Mediterranean
world from ca. AD 300 to ca. 650, which is broadly from the time
of Constantine until the Arab Conquests. It is an exciting epoch
during which classical culture continued to flower, despite the
eventual collapse of the political structures of the Roman Empire.
New characteristics emerged under the influence of Christianity,
neighbouring peoples, and a more centralised Late Roman state. In
the last 30 years, archaeology has contributed greatly to a revision
of views of this time, from being one of 'decline' to one of complex
cultural change, and, for the East, of continued prosperity. Now
an exciting dialogue is taking place between text-based historians
and archaeologists, which has resulted in an entirely new appreciation
of cities, rural settlement, economy, technology and religion in
this period. We hope to continue these positive interchanges by
including textual historians within our work at every stage.
The Centre for Late Antique Archaeology aims to co-ordinate and consolidate research activity by providing regular colloquia, specialised instruction, an internationally refereed annual, and on-line research resources. Members of the centre are active in excavation, survey and museum work that focuses on the period. These projects are used to support the practical training of students from Kent and elsewhere. Fieldwork includes work in the Mediterranean, as at Ostia port of Rome, and also in northern Europe, as at the Saxon Shore fort of Oudenburg. Research projects include work on public space in the late antique city, a re-evaluation of the Saxon Shore forts, and an investigation of dress accessories in the period. Research students focus on topics as diverse as fortress cities, regional dress types, the contents of Late Roman shops and the origins of the Marian cult. Regular trips are held to museums and study tours are provided to which take in sites in Italy and Turkey. International research collaborations include projects on the visualisation of everyday life in Late Antiquity, spolia, and on excavation strategies appropriate to the late antique period.
Kent is blessed with a rich archaeological heritage
from this period, ranging from a Villa at Chedworth
with important 4th c. levels, to the Early Medieval
settlement archaeology discovered at Canterbury, Lyminge and other
sites. Professional archaeological teams affiliated with the university
continue to make important discoveries in this area,
as they do in northern France. On both sides of the channel there
is notable focus in professional archaeology on the late Roman and
early medieval transition, lead by research associates of the centre.
Early Christianity forms an important component of
research work in Kent, as the region was the first to accept the
6th c. Roman mission, and has surviving buildings from this time.
The present archbishop of Canterbury, primate of England, keeps
up a keen interest in the period, having produced a book on Arius,
a controversial 4th c. theologian.
For more information about the centre, its coloquia, and its main
annual publication 'Late Antique Archaeology' visit www.lateantiquearchaeology.com.