Experiments in Linguistics and the Urbanism of the Roman Empire

Within the field of socio-linguistics, various concepts and approaches have been used to reveal that there is order within seemingly random material, especially when the information is largely qualitative, rather than quantitative. However, despite the obvious utility of these methods as a means of understanding the fragmented remains representing complex social and economic behaviour that make up the archaeological record, there have been relatively few attempts to apply them, aside from some preliminary work. In this talk, I will begin by reviewing earlier experiments, before discussing two case-studies drawn from the Roman Empire. I will hope to show that, although we have, as classical archaeologists and ancient historians, been cautious about using qualitative material to quantitative ends, it is possible to derive much more powerful information from these sources than we might expect.

Members of the Cluster are invited to the reserved AWRC lunch table in Hall starting at 12.30 to meet John.  John's talk in the Levett Room at 1:15 will be catered with cake and tea/coffee (all welcome).