Abstract
Artefacts from military bases of the early Roman Empire potentially indicate not only the presence of women and children inside the walls, but also their movements, activities and impact on fort life. This paper explores dynamic approaches to categorizing and gendering artefacts for more holistic investigations of artefact assemblages. It uses GIS mapping techniques to analyse the distribution patterns of ‘gendered’ artefacts within three forts on the German frontier – Vetera I, Ellingen and Oberstimm. It investigates the social significance of these patterns within and between the forts to better understand women's place in this sphere.
Highlights
Introduction and background TheRoman world is epitomized by ‘manliness’ and ‘masculine values and virtues, those of the military man and the administrator’ (Lefebvre 1991, 249)
A bone disc with a diameter of less than 50 mm and a central hole of less than 10 mm diameter was probably either a bead or a spindle whorl, whose activities can be classified as ‘dress?/cloth-production?’. Given that such beads were more usually worn by women and that spinning was usually carried out by women, they are gendered as possibly ‘female?’
IGnfeerriomr ania Gallia Belgica example, the categorization of melon beads as ‘female?/child?’ is not intended to indicate that those found in military forts were, of necessity, worn by women and children
Summary
This paper is, based on the premise that certain items found within military forts were more probably associated with the activities of women and children than with those of particular male groups, such as ethnic soldiers or cross-dressers It is by no means certain, but the latter, at least, were more likely than women to have been anomalous in this sphere. A bone disc with a diameter of less than 50 mm and a central hole of less than 10 mm diameter was probably either a bead or a spindle whorl, whose activities can be classified as ‘dress?/cloth-production?’ Given that such beads were more usually worn by women and that spinning was usually carried out by women, they are gendered as possibly ‘female?’.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
