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REPLY TO J.T. SMITH'S SUGGESTED RE‐INTERPRETATION OF BARNSLEY PARK VILLA
Author(s) -
WEBSTER GRAHAM,
SMITH LANCE
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
oxford journal of archaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1468-0092
pISSN - 0262-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-0092.1987.tb00142.x
Subject(s) - interpretation (philosophy) , archaeology , excavation , excavator , history , philosophy , engineering , civil engineering , linguistics
Summary. A different interpretation of the social significance of the excavation evidence from Barnsley Park has been advanced by Mr J. T. Smith, and the excavators now compare this with the conclusions at which they themselves arrived. They ask to what extent archaeological evidence is capable of settling a hypothesis about social structure, and proceed to re‐examine the evidence for the house and for the paved and stone‐walled area immediately surrounding it to see which alternative is less strained. Doubt is expressed about seeing many of the very minor nearby structures as other than animal pens. The house is re‐examined for original occupation by more than one household, in response to Mr Smith's main point. Multiple occupation is perceived in its later history, but not at the commencement. The excavators conclude that their interpretation is clearer as a result of this very useful reconsideration, but essentially unchanged. Barnsley Park does not provide support for Mr Smith's suggestion of kin‐groups in Romano‐British villas.