Britain & the End of Roman Empire

by Ken Dark

The end of the Roman period and the early development of Post-Roman Kingdoms are two of the most important - and most debated - subjects for archaeologists and historians. Questioning many current assumptions, this book presents a radical reinterpretation of Britain in the period 400-600. Drawing attention to far greater similarities between immediately post-Roman Britain and the rest of Europe than previously thought possible, it highlights the importance of fifth-sixth-century Britain in understanding wider themes regarding the end of the Western roman empire as a whole. A very wide range of archaeological and written evidence from the whole of Britain is discussed, rather than focusing on either Anglo-Saxon or Celtic archaeology alone. Burials, settlements and religious centres are brought into the discussion, alongside new material and more obscure data from scattered sources. The final occupation of Roman towns, forts and villas is examined, and post-Roman hill-forts such as Tintagel, Dinas Powys and Cadbury Congresbury is evaluated. Anglo-Saxon and early Christian cemeteries such as Spong Hill and Cannington are considered, and evidence for the earliest British monasteries explored. This book not only offers an exciting new interpretation of Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries AD but is probably the most comprehensive survey of the archaeological and written evidence for the period. It will be indispensable for professional and amateurs archaeologists alike and invaluable for students of British, Roman or Medieval archaeology and history at all levels.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Archaeology, Roman Britain

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2001

Reviews

[Rhiannon Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful tour round the different areas of Britain and the evidence we have for them between 400 and 600CE. Dark stresses the importance of the conversion to Christianity, looking at the evidence for its presence (and the lack of evidence for pagan continuation) during this period, but also the similarities between different areas of Britain and between Britain and other formerly Roman areas as the empire ends.

[Christine Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ken Dark uses a wide range of archaeological and written evidence from burials, pottery and settlement remains to the writing of, particularly, Gildas. He offers a rather different interpretation to the usual ones about 5th and 6th century Britain but one that makes sense given the sources. He considers the final occupation of Roman villas and towns as well as Anglo Saxon settlements in the east of what became England. A good reference book.

[E Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more nuanced interpretation

[Thomas Ayre · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know there's very little remaining evidence of what happened in SubRoman Britain.

But it would have been nice if the writer tried to be perhaps more bullish about what he thought because I soon became very very tired of him saying exactly nothing.

It's essentially a book of somewhere who isn't entirely sure what went on, but offers no narrative, just a series paragraphs on burials and what they might, just maybe or not or something something.