Publications by Mara Vejby
A discussion of the radiocarbon dates from the famous Loughcrew bone slips in the context of addi... more A discussion of the radiocarbon dates from the famous Loughcrew bone slips in the context of additional evidence of megalithic reuse in Ireland.
Manual for Physical Anthropology Lab course. Covers human genetics, early primate and hominid evo... more Manual for Physical Anthropology Lab course. Covers human genetics, early primate and hominid evolution, origins of culture, and relationships between biology, culture, and the spread of disease. Lab activities use a hands-on approach to explore these topics as well as: dating techniques, anatomy, osteology, social behavior, and the fossil record.
This chapter discusses the evidence of Iron Age and Roman activity at megalithic tombs in Brittan... more This chapter discusses the evidence of Iron Age and Roman activity at megalithic tombs in Brittany, France. This region has the highest concentration of Roman period activity at megalithic tombs in Atlantic Europe. Such a concentration of Roman material at these Neolithic sites, especially along the Gulf of Morbihan, sparks a number of unanswered questions about subsequent interactions during the lives of these structures.
Furthermore, the patterns of some of the material deposits found at these structures may indicate a unique regional interaction with these sites. For example, Venus statuettes are found at megalithic tombs almost exclusively in Morbihan. Roman tile and brick are also far more commonly uncovered as subsequent deposits at tombs in Brittany than they are at similar sites in the rest of France. Conversely, Roman coins, which are found at megalithic tombs across the Roman Empire, are notably lacking from megalithic tombs in this region.
Exploring the nature and patterns of these subsequent activities, and comparing them to contemporary interactions in other regions, will help to uncover the significance that these Neolithic tombs held for peoples in the Breton Iron Age and Roman periods.
New radiocarbon dating of the famous Loughcrew bone slips, funded by the Prehistoric Society, ret... more New radiocarbon dating of the famous Loughcrew bone slips, funded by the Prehistoric Society, return Mid Iron Age dates.
Conference Presentations by Mara Vejby
This discusses the persistent challenges and limits of detecting identities within prehistoric ar... more This discusses the persistent challenges and limits of detecting identities within prehistoric archaeology. It argues that the material patterns uncovered through archaeological research are likely aggregate identities rather than cultural or even social identities within a geographical region. An aggregate identity is being defined as the collection of distinct cultures, which may possess enough similarities that they get artificially grouped together. In the case of prehistoric societies, surviving material items are what make a people visible to present day archaeologists. The similarity of material items and/or settlement structures can create deceptive cohesion, which is then defined as a ‘cultural group.’ There are aspects of culture, however, that are not accessible to a prehistoric archaeologist, such as, language, oral tradition, and some ritual activities, to name a few. By parsing out separate aspects of identity, and the ways in which they can be created and displayed by an individual or group, there is a better chance of conducting a meaningful discussion of the multiple identities that coexisted within prehistoric societies. The potential to combine these identities during modern research and re-imaginations of different phases of prehistory can then also be discussed. Using both prehistoric and ethnographic examples this paper will attempt to illustrate the dynamic challenges of identity reconstruction.
This paper explores the phenomenon of utilitarian items being used in non-utilitarian fashions (s... more This paper explores the phenomenon of utilitarian items being used in non-utilitarian fashions (seemingly as votive/ritual/symbolic deposits). There are a number of Roman material types created for ‘utilitarian’ purposes, which are subsequently discovered within contexts that imply a symbolic/votive use. Such items include hobnails, tiles, bricks, pottery, and coins, among others. A few of these material types have been more extensively discussed than others within the context of votive or at least symbolic deposits, especially hobnails and coins, while others have been discussed to a lesser extent. This paper aims to discuss the different meanings, functions, and values that utilitarian items may have gained when they are found within alternative contexts. Specific attention will be paid to materials deposited within the province of Morbihan, in Brittany France.
Books by Mara Vejby
Oxbow, 2016
Small finds – the stuff of everyday life – offer archaeologists a fascinating glimpse into the ma... more Small finds – the stuff of everyday life – offer archaeologists a fascinating glimpse into the material lives of the ancient Romans. These objects hold great promise for unravelling the ins and outs of daily life, especially for the social groups, activities, and regions for which few written sources exist. Focusing on amulets, brooches, socks, hobnails, figurines, needles, and other “mundane” artefacts, these 12 papers use small finds to reconstruct social lives and practices in the Roman Northwest provinces. Taking social life broadly, the various contributions offer insights into the everyday use of objects to express social identities, Roman religious practices in the provinces, and life in military communities. By integrating small finds from the Northwest provinces with material, iconographic, and textual evidence from the whole Roman empire, contributors seek to demystify Roman magic and Mithraic religion, discover the latest trends in ancient fashion (socks with sandals!), explore Roman interactions with Neolithic monuments, and explain unusual finds in unexpected places. Throughout, the authors strive to maintain a critical awareness of archaeological contexts and site formation processes to offer interpretations of past peoples and behaviours that most likely reflect the lived reality of the Romans. While the range of topics in this volume gives it wide appeal, scholars working with small finds, religion, dress, and life in the Northwest provinces will find it especially of interest. Small Finds and Ancient Social Practices grew out of a session at the 2014 Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference.
http://www.oxbowbooks.com/oxbow/small-finds-and-ancient-social-practices-in-the-northwest-provinces-of-the-roman-empire.html
Uploads
Publications by Mara Vejby
Furthermore, the patterns of some of the material deposits found at these structures may indicate a unique regional interaction with these sites. For example, Venus statuettes are found at megalithic tombs almost exclusively in Morbihan. Roman tile and brick are also far more commonly uncovered as subsequent deposits at tombs in Brittany than they are at similar sites in the rest of France. Conversely, Roman coins, which are found at megalithic tombs across the Roman Empire, are notably lacking from megalithic tombs in this region.
Exploring the nature and patterns of these subsequent activities, and comparing them to contemporary interactions in other regions, will help to uncover the significance that these Neolithic tombs held for peoples in the Breton Iron Age and Roman periods.
Conference Presentations by Mara Vejby
Books by Mara Vejby
http://www.oxbowbooks.com/oxbow/small-finds-and-ancient-social-practices-in-the-northwest-provinces-of-the-roman-empire.html
Furthermore, the patterns of some of the material deposits found at these structures may indicate a unique regional interaction with these sites. For example, Venus statuettes are found at megalithic tombs almost exclusively in Morbihan. Roman tile and brick are also far more commonly uncovered as subsequent deposits at tombs in Brittany than they are at similar sites in the rest of France. Conversely, Roman coins, which are found at megalithic tombs across the Roman Empire, are notably lacking from megalithic tombs in this region.
Exploring the nature and patterns of these subsequent activities, and comparing them to contemporary interactions in other regions, will help to uncover the significance that these Neolithic tombs held for peoples in the Breton Iron Age and Roman periods.
http://www.oxbowbooks.com/oxbow/small-finds-and-ancient-social-practices-in-the-northwest-provinces-of-the-roman-empire.html