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Ure-Swale Plateau

The Roman subjigation of a sacred space

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Hob H
Hob Aug 20, 2003 23:44:01
Replying to BrigantesNation

I don't know If I'm being contrary here, but up in North tyneside, we've limited evidence for some kind of sacred landscape. If this is the case it is noteable that the Romans left it alone to a conspicuous degree. Despite having Arbeia and Segedumnum (sizeable centres) the only site on the moor is a watchtower. Roads seem to have avoided it despite there being a ridgeway to be exploited. Said ridgeway runs from Gosforth to the coast with a very good view over the chevoits to the north and down to penshaw in the south. On a slightly cheekier note, local blokes claim to remember a pile of amphora dug up in the '50s near the watchtower. Perhaps it was subjugated to roman drinking rituals? Or maybe they partied with the locals?

by the ways brigantesnation how far north do you reckon Brigantia went?

B BrigantesNation
BrigantesNation Aug 21, 2003 19:07:52
Replying to Hob

I think Brigantia was bordered by rivers and the northern border was possibly the Tyne, that makes sense looking at the placement of Hadrians Wall. Not entirely sure though.

Perhaps we need to think of Thornborough as being a very large regional centre, surrounded by other, more minor works that by the end of the Iron Age had lost much of their relevance. Again local differences must apply.

We also need to bear in mind that we can only see about 10% of what the Romans did, and less of the prehistoric period, so our interpretation can only be a very flawed one.

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