Early Medieval Agenda

Early Medieval Research Questions

Chronology and Dating

EM01: How can an agreed terminology allow us to better understand types and phases found during the medieval period?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/1.Howcananagree-5c94cddd93729
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.20 – Analyse any animal bones, and charred, mineralised or waterlogged plant remains, identified from any site of the period as a matter of priority.
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Re-examine and date deposits of animal bones and environmental material from Castle Street, Carlisle, to resolve at least some of the uncertain date of existing material excavated from urban contexts.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Mike Nevell
Date accepted:
22/03/2019
Date of next review:
22/03/2024

EM02: What can modern techniques of analysis tell us about dark earth horizons in post-Roman urban centres?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/2.Whatdoweknowa-5c94cddd945bb
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.54 – Develop a programme of sampling and dating to enlarge the corpus of insects from the region, and our understanding of the conditions in which they thrived.
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A literature review is needed and this should be done through PhDs/theses, specifically looking at the interventions involving dark earth.

 Develop a programme of sampling and dating of suitable samples, such as those from Castle Street, Carlisle, to enlarge the corpus of insects from the region, and our understanding of the conditions in which they thrived.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Mike Nevell
Date accepted:
22/03/2019
Date of next review:
22/03/2024

EM03: How and when does a post-Roman cultural identity emerge?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/3.Howandwhendoe-5c94cddd94ed0
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.06 – Attempt to link the fragmentary   artefact sequences to some kind of chronologically robust framework.
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 Undertake focused research on issues of border and cultural identity across borders ie. Wales and Scotland. How would a post-Roman cultural identity be recognised within the specific NW region?

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Mike Nevell
Date accepted:
22/03/2019
Date of next review:
22/03/2024

EM04: What can a better understanding of urban stratigraphic sequences tell us about early medieval site activities?

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EM05: How can careful analysis of the late Roman/early medieval horizon help to identify early medieval activities on site?

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EM06: How can we identify the character of early medieval rural settlement sites?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/6.Howcanweident-5c94cddd960f4
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.24 – Ensure method statements and research designs for the excavation of rural settlement in the region build in costings for absolute dating, in most cases for a series of dates, particularly targeting short-lifespan material, such as twiggy charcoal, animal bones and charred cereal grains, as well as  archaeomagnetic dating of materials heated in situ (hearths, ovens, kilns, etc).
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Ensure method statements and research designs for the excavation of rural settlement in the region build in costings for scientific dating, in most cases for a series of dates, particularly targeting short-lifespan material, such as twiggy charcoal, animal bones and charred cereal grains, as well as archaeomagnetic dating of materials heated in situ (hearths, ovens, kilns, etc).

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Mike Nevell
Date accepted:
22/03/2019
Date of next review:
22/03/2024

Ending of Roman Britain

EM07: How could a review of old archives and grey literature shed light on the end of Roman Britain?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Howcanaliteratu-5d1253a710398
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.09 – Re-examine old excavation archives from key Roman sites, for instance Carlisle, to look again at evidence for latest activity.
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Mike Nevell
Date accepted:
25/06/2019
Date of next review:
25/06/2024

EM08: What investigative techniques work best to identify Early Medieval deposits above more easily discernible Roman features?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Howcanmethodolo-5cfa668574f70
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.49 – Ensure methodologies for any excavations of late Roman or medieval sites are sufficiently robust to allow for  the  possibility  of  early medieval industrial/craft production, including salt.
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 Undertake detailed surveys at Romano-British sites with good earthwork preservation to establish potential phases prior to excavation. Training is needed on identification of RB and EMED mixed deposits Radiocarbon dating of seemingly Roman remains could reveal they were actually in use after the Roman period eg. charred residue to late Roman wares and other organic remains within Roman assemblages.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

EM09: What evidence is there for the decline in urban settlements toward the end of the Roman period?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Whatevidenceist-5cfa66857553a
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.12 – Ensure that opportunities are taken to examine the veracity of the commonly-held view of a population  shift  away   from   towns   into defended places  at  the  end  of the Roman period.
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 A synthesis of excavation evidence is needed and this would make a suitable subject for a PhD.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

EM10: How can we clarify cultural indicators from the ephemeral remains of the early medieval period? (4.2:4.13)

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EM11: What can early medieval sites tell us about social disparity at the end of Roman Britain?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Whatcanearlymed-5d1253a711aac
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.14 – Target sites that may contribute to an understanding of social disparity in the early medieval period.
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Target place names that suggest political centres or meeting places. Learn more from place name studies, working more closely with English place name societies, to identify site specific and wider EM settlements and seek ways to map place name evidence on county HERs.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Mike Nevell
Date accepted:
25/06/2019
Date of next review:
25/06/2024

EM12: What evidence is there of Romano-British culture surviving into the Medieval Period?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Whatevidenceist-5d1253a711fd5
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.15 – Develop methodologies to identify British cultural remains in the post-Roman milieu.
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Mike Nevell
Date accepted:
25/06/2019
Date of next review:
25/06/2024

EM13: How can we identify the emergence of social elites in the early medieval period?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Howcanweidentif-5d1253a7125d4
More information:

See supporting statements for Q10 to 12 above. Target research on hill forts and comparative studies across borders.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Mike Nevell
Date accepted:
25/06/2019
Date of next review:
25/06/2024

Settlement and Land use

EM14: How can we identify changes in landscape use related to climate change?

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EM15: How can archaeological methods be used to recognise domestic, farming and food provision sites?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Howcanarchaeolo-5cfa668577562
More information:
Can we distinguish everyday domestic and local trade practices and do they characterise the NW region or do they echo patterns across early medieval England.
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

EM16: How can place names inform our understanding of the landscape context of known sites?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Howcanplacename-5cfa668577b7e
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.08 – Link place-name studies with wider landscape research in an attempt to place the known sites into some sort of landscape context.
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

EM17: What evidence is there for landscape change in the early medieval period?

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EM18: How can the archaeological investigation of parish boundaries inform our understanding of the Early Medieval land use?

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EM19: How can archaeological investigations be targeted to inform our understanding of places of authority and local government?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Howcanarchaeolo-5d5aab2f2020f
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.25 – Examine, wherever possible, presumed centres of early medieval activity, particularly the nature of surviving archaeological deposits, coupled with a detailed programme of dating. These might include settlements with churches producing early sculpture, or medieval estate centres re-occupying Roman sites.
More information:

Target centres of medieval culture, including churches with early sculpture and medieval churches on Romano-British sites, hill forts and assembly points.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
North West Research Framework Steering Group
Date accepted:
19/08/2019
Date of next review:
19/08/2024

EM20: How can we identify hotspots of Early Medieval activity and individual sites with archaeological potential?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Howcanweidentif-5cfa66857928b
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.27 – Undertake systematic metal detector surveys in such u2018hot spotsu2019 to attempt to define and characterise early medieval activity.
More information:

 The successful Cheshire metal detector model could be applied to the rest of the region as it is particularly relevant for the early medieval period.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

Ritual, Religion and Ceremony

EM21: What can archaeological investigation tell us about the origins and character of early Christian sites?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Whatcanarchaeol-5cfa6685797ce
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.31 – Target appropriate sites with Eccles place-names with systematic survey of surrounding settlement.
More information:

Links to/from medieval buildings need to be considered with respect to Christian/religious development. Include circular graveyards.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

EM22: What can church sites associated with Romano-British sites tell us about early medieval sculpture and can these provide further evidence for early Christianity?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Whatcanchurchsi-5cfa668579e4e
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.35 – Prioritise the study of long segmental churches in both east Cumbria and adjacent parts of Yorkshire.
More information:

 CSIR work for area underway, corpus for Anglo-Saxon sculpture on-line. How do we maintain/update publications/websites?

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

EM23: What can funerary evidence tell us about the transitions between new and previous belief systems?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Canfuneraryevid-5cfa66857a45f
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Review existing burial assemblages to highlight key artefacts which may indicate belief systems. Examine distribution patterns of excavated late Roman and early medieval grave yards. This would make a potential PhD research project.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

EM24: What can the difference between worked stone materials of sub regional level tell us about early Medieval religion and burial?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Whatcanthediffe-5cfa66857aac6
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.34 – Analyse differences between stone sculpture at a sub-regional level.
More information:

Review Anglo Saxon sculpture in the North West publications. NEW STRATEGY Systematic scanning of sculpture and worked stone to help to facilitate new research. NEW STRATEGY

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

EM25: How can we find out more about the nature of early medieval burials?

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EM26: How can we identify potential early Medieval burial sites?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Howcanweidentif-5cfa66857b60b
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.37 – The presence of stray finds recovered by metal detectorists, which may indicate that burials of this period are being damaged by agricultural practice, need to be highlighted and should be prioritised for investigation.
More information:

Review existing burial assemblages to highlight key artefacts which may indicate burial practices. This has been shown to work at Cumwhitton but the artifacts may also indicate sites of more general activity.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

Technology and Production

EM27: How could a re-evaluation of museum collections help to identify early Medieval ceramics and other materials?

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EM28: How can we improve the identification of early medieval pottery on excavation sites?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Howcanweimprove-5cfa66857c1d4
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.41 – Raise awareness in those responsible for the excavation of sites that ceramics initially classed as prehistoric might represent examples of  a regional tradition of early medieval hand-made pottery.
More information:

Training issue: need workshops for identification of EMED pottery for early career archaeologist, researches and local society groups. This would make a potential PhD research project.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

EM29: How could an intra-regional study reveal the quantity and continued use of Romano-British materials during the early medieval?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Couldanintra-re-5cfa66857c707
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.43 – Recognise the continued use of u2018Romanu2019 artefacts into the 5th century as a topic worthy of further research, and ensure all late  Roman assemblages are scrutinised for such.
More information:

This would make a potential PhD research project. Ensure all Romano-British assemblages are scrutinised for potential early medieval materials, including intra-regional contexts, and data along with Scotland and Cornwall.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

EM30: How can we further our understanding of the exploitation of resources for the extraction of materials during the early Medieval period?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Howcanwefurther-5cfa66857cd06
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.47 – Undertake   metallurgical   studies   of  early medieval metalwork as a matter of routine.
More information:

Examine how and if particular post-Roman regional industries generate a unique NW culture and vibrant economic and trade systems.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

Trade, Exchange and Interaction

EM31: What can a detailed landscape survey tell us about the early Medieval settlements on coastal promontories and water courses?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Whatcanadetaile-5cfa66857d1ec
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.53 – Develop a GIS to aid understanding of historic changes in sea level, and their effect on possible coastal settlement.
More information:

Examine to what degree the post-Roman NW was an Irish Sea or terrestrial-based economy and culture. Could be both or mixed.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

EM32: How can we identify early medieval sites in a coastal environment?

More information on this question
URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Howcanweidentif-5cfa66857d668
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.52 – Treat any early medieval coin and artefact finds, not just hoards, in coastal and river-edge areas as potential sites, and monitor such areas closely.
More information:

Can a re-evaluation of PAS and museum archives identify potential early Medieval sites in a coastal environment?

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

EM33: What evidence is there for the importation of raw materials from outside the region?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Whatevidenceist-5cfa66857dbe6
More information:

A better understanding of this would be provided through analysis of PAS data, examining museum archives, and scientific analysis. This would make a potential PhD research project.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

Defence, Warfare and Military Activity

EM34: What can archaeological investigations tell us about the character of early Medieval re-use of former defended sites, such as Roman Forts and Hill Forts?

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URI:
https://researchframeworks.org/nwrf/researchframework/v1/question/Whatcanarchaeol-5cfa66857e126
Linked Strategy(s):
EM4.56 – Ensure all  opportunities  are taken  to  date material from both the defences and interiors of hillforts, and from potential burh sites in Cheshire.
More information:

 Great care needs to taken when preparing project designs on high medieval castles as there is a possibility of early medieval or post-Conquest military and/or ecclesiastical activity.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
NW Research Framework Committee
Date accepted:
06/01/2019
Date of next review:
06/01/2021

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