David J Breeze. 2014. “Hadrian’s Wall: a history of archaeological thought”, Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society, 172pp (pb). ISBN 978-1873124673, rrp £18.00.
Nominated Current Archaeology Book of the Year 2016
Most of us, I venture to suggest, either from visits or photographs have a picture in our mind’s eye of the World Heritage Site we know as “Hadrian’s Wall”. Few of us, I venture to suggest, are as knowledgeable about this monument as we perhaps ought to be:
- Did you know, for example, that (with a single exception) all of the classical writers believed that it was Emperor Severus who instructed the construction of this monument? Considered in detail in Chapter 2 of this Book, the current accepted theory is that it was actually Emperor Hadrian who did indeed order its construction.
- Did you know, for example, that this monument does not consist simply of a wall but is instead a complex structure now generating its own language (with further terminology suggested in the Appendix). In addition to the linear barrier itself (sometimes called the ‘curtain’ or ‘wall’) there are at regular Roman intervals small fortifications (called ‘milecastles’ after the Latin castellum) and between them small towers (called ‘turrets’ after the Latin turres). Apparently as an addition, a number of ‘forts’ were constructed on or near the barrier and a further addition was the construction of a ‘vallum’ (a deep central ditch with a mound set back on either side). Chapter 3 addresses an understanding of the various elements of the monument and Chapter 4 addresses the sequence of building of this monument, while Chapter 6 addresses a consideration of the extent to which Emperor Hadrian (who briefly visited Britain in 122 AD) might have been involved in the original design and/or alteration of this monument. Many theories have come and gone in these respects.
- Did you know, for example, that the parts of the ‘curtain’ or wall was built using turf and part using stone, and that some of the turf parts were later rebuilt with stone. Theories abound as to why that might have been so, the most recent of which is supported by brilliant research by those such as Richard Tipping who has identified extensive clearance in some areas 500 years before the Romans arrived which would have denied them timber for their usual methods of construction. In addition, there are various styles of construction involving both broad and narrow foundations, broad and narrow walls, and various different styles of ‘milecastle’ and ‘turret’. These aspects are considered in Chapters 5 and 7 and Chapter 8 is a consideration of the history of the monument. One of the theories is that the different styles may be attributable to the different Legions (the Second; Twentieth and Sixth) involved in its construction.
- Did you know, for example, that there is a lack of agreement as to the function or functions of this monument? Who manned this monument is considered in Chapter 9 with its function considered in Chapter 10, and its end in Chapter 11. It has to be accepted, of course, that these functions may have changed over time but in general the theories appear to have emerged either from a belief in the strength of Rome or a belief in the strength of the enemies of Rome.
The book – sponsored by the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society – is essentially 12 freestanding chapters into which virtually all of the theories relating to Hadrian’s Wall have been distilled. There is probably no-one better suited to that task than the author who rather too modestly goes under the name “David J Breeze”. His own history is illustrative. Educated in Blackpool, he went to Durham University to read History. Over a coffee his Tutor casually suggested that he attend that University’s Training School at Corbridge (ancient Coria) just south of Hadrian’s Wall. From then on he was condemned to study the Romans. Together with the late Brian Dobson he has written the leading textbook and at the last count had no less than four Honorary Professorships.
As the author points out, Hadrian’s Wall is littered with the bones of discarded theories and any book which at a fairly early stage embarks upon a critique of the archaeological theories adopted by the Venerable Bede is bound to pique one’s interest. As Professor Breeze acknowledges, the inspirations for this book has come from the manner in which these archaeological theories have been arrived at and discarded. In that respect, Professor Breeze is attracted by a model which Thomas Kuhn applied to scientific theory in 1962 and he considers is a model which is equally applicable to archaeological theory. The model essentially suggests that a collection of facts receives, over time, general acceptance until new facts are found which do not fit that theory and which necessitate a re-consideration of that theory. Professor Breeze carefully explains how the development of the printing presses allowed the writings of the classical authors to be considered; how this approach was followed by the clergy, landowners and other gentlemen. Included in there is one woman called Frances Haverfield who felt constrained, at the time, to write under the name of Mrs. Hodgson. The author does not shy away from the fact that at one time it was extremely difficult to challenge at all the accepted orthodoxies of archaeological thought but Professor Breeze takes pleasure in the fact that so many have recently arrived without any history or background in the subject but have nevertheless contrived to make very substantial contributions to the various theories.
As Professor Breeze makes clear, what this book is not is a complete history of Hadrian’s Wall and in that respect he very generously pays tribute to “Hadrian’s Wall, a Life” by Richard Hingley. As the very title of this book suggests, it is “a history of archaeological thought”. It could easily be argued that – through the focus of Hadrian’s Wall – this book is a masterful analysis of how the British ‘do’ archaeology. It could also easily be argued that this book deserves a place on the shelf of everyone with an interest in Hadrian’s Wall. At heart, however, this has to be considered to be a ‘niche’ book. As Professor Breeze has pointed out, Hadrian’s Wall has now generated an enormous database of information. In the future, the most exciting research in this area is likely to relate to new findings on the functions of the monument and the extent of Roman movement beyond the Wall. With this book, the author is encouraging new research while at the same time suggesting to those who embark upon such research that they should not lose sight of those theories which have underpinned research on the Wall for so long. In that respect, Professor Breeze has done us all a marvellous service with this book.
Review by Richard N M Anderson
12 September 2016