The Rocks at the Edge of the Empire
This beautifully presented book introduces to a wide audience the current geological and archaeological evidence for the influence of geology on the Roman occupation of northern England and where local natural resources were exploited by the Romans for their economic and military purposes. Though some prior geological knowledge would be advantageous, some useful introductory information is provided for a general readership and the casual visitor to Roman sites.
Readers familiar with other recent, highly regarded publications from this author and publisher will recognise the book’s format of considering fifty sites illustrated by a relevant photograph or map and explanatory text. Using this device, Jackson briefly reviews northern England in pre-Roman times, then considers the importance of geology in how the Romans used local topography and geology. A consideration of the evidence for their exploitation of a wide range of rocks and minerals from the region follows. One might quibble about the inclusion or exclusion of particular sites, but, given the limits of the format, some selection was inevitable. As expected, the location and building of Hadrian’s Wall, and associated roads and army camps, feature prominently. Numerous other examples of Roman exploitation of the local geology in the region between North Yorkshire and the Scottish Border are also included. In some instances, the evidence of Roman influence is clear, but in others, such as the extraction of the metal ores in the Northern Pennine Orefield, though thought highly likely, remains largely circumstantial at best.
Throughout, the text weaves together archaeological and geological data to present a coherent picture of the extent of Roman usage of locally occurring materials and their value to the occupation of northern England and beyond. The present reviewer is unable to comment on the archaeological content but found little in the geological input to object to. Jackson appears to have consulted a wide range of literature but, as no bibliography is supplied, the limits of their reading are uncertain. The extent of Roman technological skills and their ability to recognise and use natural resources have long been known, but such extent has not always been highlighted so clearly before in northern England as in this book. Thus, this publication will undoubtedly enhance the experience, not only to everyday visitors to local Roman sites, but also to those with geological interests in the area, and is therefore highly recommended.
Reviewed by Douglas Holliday
DETAILS:
BY: Ian Jackson (2024). The Rocks at the Edge of the Empire. Northern Heritage Services. 114 pp. (pbk)
ISBN: 9781739486143
PRICE: £12.00 www.northern-heritage.co.uk
