Fractured Britannia: The Twilight of Roman Britain (Archaeopress Roman Archaeology)

How did objects of dress and coinage shape power and identity in late Roman Britain?Fractured Britannia provides an in-depth examination of the distribution of coinage and elite items of Roman dress in later and sub-Roman Britain, offering new perspectives on a period of profound social and political change.While previous research has sought to distinguish groups serving the Roman state, identifying them in the archaeological record remains challenging. The military and the civil administration relied on hierarchical structures and used similar objects to indicate rank and status.At the same time, local elites, responsible for much of the practical administration of Britain, began to adopt military styles of dress.These changes led to a clear evolution in dress accessories over the fourth century. Five extensive datasets on crossbow brooches, belt fittings, spurs, penannular brooches, and coins are examined systematically in combination.Previously studied in isolation, these objects re