Skip to main content

Birgitta Hoffmann

Followers

435

Following

132

Co-authors

7

Mentions

126

Public Views

EDUCATION:

1989:
Zwischenprüfung in Ancient History (Universität Freiburg)
1990:
Zwischenprüfung in Provincial-Roman Archaeology (Universität Freiburg)
1990:
Zwischenprüfung in Early Medieval Archaeology and Prehistory (Universität Freiburg)

1992:
MA. with distinction, in Roman Archaeology (University of Durham, UK)
(Thesis Title: Roman Legionary Centurion's Quarters)

1996:
Dr. Phil. summa cum laude, in Provincial-Roman Archaeology (Universität Freiburg, Germany)
(Title: Römisches Glas aus Baden- Württemberg aus ausgewählten Befunden von 70 – 260)
(Roman Glass from Baden-Württemberg from selected contexts 70-260AD))

2005:
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (University of Manchester)

Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Phone: 0161 - 300 5532
Address: The Roman Gask Project
55 Broadwalk
Wilmslow, Cheshire
SK9 5PL
United Kingdom

less

InterestsView All (28)

Uploads

Books by Birgitta Hoffmann

Roman Perthshire in Iron Age. In Perth & Kinross Archaeological Research Framework:

Perth& Kinross Archaeological Research Framework, 2022

Substantial contributions to the Roman Chapter of the Perth & Kinross Archaeological Reserch Fram... more

Roman Gask Project Research Outline 2018

The glen is partially part of the Cairngorms and even outside the National Park sports some amazi... more The glen is partially part of the Cairngorms and even outside the National Park sports some amazing landscape views and is one of the few areas in Britain where you can see White-tailed eagles and adders (we can confirm sightings for both), so we do not expect to get permission to conduct invasive fieldwork from the landowners or from Historic Environment Scotland. However, the glen is full of archaeological sites, many of which have not been documented. In addition, from the 15th century onwards there is written evidence on the land use and settlement in the glen in the archives (more of that another time), a lot of which can be matched up to the archaeological record. We thus have the opportunity of reconstructing and providing dates for a number of the sites in the valley without having to revert to excavations in the first place.

The Roman Invasion of Britain: Archaeology versus History

Die Römer in Schottland. Roman Gask Ridge. Zeitpunkte 2. Aschaffenburg: Museen der Stadt Aschaffenburg 2006

Rome's First Frontier. The Flavian occupation of northern Scotland. Stroud: Tempus 2006

Römisches Glas in Baden-Württemberg. Archäologie und Geschichte Band 11. Stuttgart: Jan Thorbecke Verlag 2002.

Limes XVIII. Proceedings of the XVIIIth International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies held in Amman, Jordan (September 2000). BAR Int. Ser. 1084. Oxford: Archaeopress 2002

Papers by Birgitta Hoffmann

A conference honouring G. C. Boon's work on fortresses and legions - RICHARD J. BREWER (ed.), ROMAN FORTRESSES AND THEIR LEGIONS. PAPERS IN HONOUR OF GEORGE C. BOON, FSA, FRHistS (Occasional Papers of the Society of Antiquaries of London, No. 20; Society of Antiquaries of London and National Muse...

Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2004

The First Geophysical Survey at the Roman Villa of Milreu (Algarve/Portugal)

ICOMOS – Hefte des Deutschen Nationalkomitees, Aug 5, 2015

Römisches Glas aus Baden-Württemberg

Thorbecke eBooks, 2002

Tacitus, Agricola and the role of literature in the archaeology of the ﬁrst century AD

Die römischen Kasernen im Legionslager Vindobona: die Ausgrabungen am Judenplatz in Wien in den Jahren 1995–1998. By M. Mosser Monografien der Stadtarchäologie Wien, Bd. 5. Museen der Stadt Wien, Wien, 2010. 2 vols: pp. 1016 and 528, illus (some colour) + 8 colour folding plans. Price: €138.00. i...

Britannia, Jun 28, 2013

Representations of War in Ancient Rome (review)

The Journal of Military History, 2007

The wooden finds from Vindonissa - RUDOLF FELLMANN, RÖMISCHE KLEINFUNDE AUS HOLZ AUS DEM LEGIONSLAGER VINDONISSA (Veröffentlichungen der Gesellschaft Pro Vindonissa Band XX, Brugg 2009). S. 140, Abb. 23, Taf. 43. ISBN 978-3-9523105-3-3

Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2012

Books on the Germans (and Romans) - ERNST KÜNZL, DIE GERMANEN (Theiss Wissenkompakt; Konrad Theiss, Stuttgart 2006). Pp. 192, many figs. ISBN 978-3-8062-2026-1. EUR. 19. - Kunst und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, ROME UND DIE BARBAREN. EUROPA ZUR ZEIT DER VÖLKERWANDERUNG (Hirme...

Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2009

Use of Space and Variability of Ground Plans: A Study of Legionary Centurions’ Quarters

Theoretical Roman archaeology journal, Mar 31, 1995

Die Grabstelen des 2. und 3. Jahrhunderts im Rheingebiet

Britannia, 2000

without explaining who such people were, or how they might have operated. In his view, it was the... more without explaining who such people were, or how they might have operated. In his view, it was they who deftly blended elements of Roman and Gallic religion (101—5, cf. 241). But where, and to what degree, did they acquire their Roman culture; and how might we relate their knowledge of and priestly activity within their native religion to the suppression of the druids? (D. mentions druids only once, in a footnote on 101.) Indeed, though he claims to be interested in change, here, oddly (because elsewhere he displays a commendably strong grasp of current research), he fails to develop Jane Webster's work on the relationship between profound social dislocation and the evolution of Roman provincial religion, with its fruitful reference to modern colonial experience. In the event, indeed, D. offers little comparison between GalloRoman religion and, say, voodoo or more orthodox polytheistic systems such as hinduism or shintoism but, despite his criticism of categorization, much that is based on tables and distribution maps.

Excavations at South Shields Roman Fort, I

Britannia, 1998

Römische Glaskunst und Wandmalerei. Edited by Michael J Klein. 300mm. Pp viii + 160, ill. Mainz: von Zabern, 1999. ISBN 3–80532597–4. DM 68.00

The Antiquaries Journal, Sep 1, 2001

main aspects of mineral extraction. Towns especially benefit from the author's wide knowledge... more main aspects of mineral extraction. Towns especially benefit from the author's wide knowledge of the subject. Here again, the reader is reminded of the more squalid aspects of life in Romano-British towns, providing a salutary counter-balance to the sanitized pictures portrayed in many reconstructions. The author's unrivalled knowledge of Romano-British towns, however, has led to a certain imbalance in the book. While towns account for twenty-six pages (including nine pages of plans and reconstructions) only six are devoted to villas and rural temples, and five to farming and non-villa settlements. Similarly, in contrast to the fourteen plans and reconstructions of towns, only one, a villa reconstruction, relates to rural settlement. Topics such as imperial estates and centuriation are not discussed, nor is work by Hingley, Millett or Williamson referred to, either in the text or in the further reading section. A useful list of plant remains recorded from York is included, but little reference is made to the results of recent environmental research elsewhere. These omissions are no doubt due to the enormous range of the material covered, which has clearly forced a broad-brush rather than a detailed approach.

Die romische Reichsgrenze zwischen Mosel und Nordseekuste

Britannia, 1997

Roman Perthshire in Iron Age. In Perth & Kinross Archaeological Research Framework:

Perth& Kinross Archaeological Research Framework, 2022

Substantial contributions to the Roman Chapter of the Perth & Kinross Archaeological Reserch Fram... more

Roman Gask Project Research Outline 2018

The glen is partially part of the Cairngorms and even outside the National Park sports some amazi... more The glen is partially part of the Cairngorms and even outside the National Park sports some amazing landscape views and is one of the few areas in Britain where you can see White-tailed eagles and adders (we can confirm sightings for both), so we do not expect to get permission to conduct invasive fieldwork from the landowners or from Historic Environment Scotland. However, the glen is full of archaeological sites, many of which have not been documented. In addition, from the 15th century onwards there is written evidence on the land use and settlement in the glen in the archives (more of that another time), a lot of which can be matched up to the archaeological record. We thus have the opportunity of reconstructing and providing dates for a number of the sites in the valley without having to revert to excavations in the first place.

The Roman Invasion of Britain: Archaeology versus History

Die Römer in Schottland. Roman Gask Ridge. Zeitpunkte 2. Aschaffenburg: Museen der Stadt Aschaffenburg 2006

Rome's First Frontier. The Flavian occupation of northern Scotland. Stroud: Tempus 2006

Römisches Glas in Baden-Württemberg. Archäologie und Geschichte Band 11. Stuttgart: Jan Thorbecke Verlag 2002.

Limes XVIII. Proceedings of the XVIIIth International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies held in Amman, Jordan (September 2000). BAR Int. Ser. 1084. Oxford: Archaeopress 2002

A conference honouring G. C. Boon's work on fortresses and legions - RICHARD J. BREWER (ed.), ROMAN FORTRESSES AND THEIR LEGIONS. PAPERS IN HONOUR OF GEORGE C. BOON, FSA, FRHistS (Occasional Papers of the Society of Antiquaries of London, No. 20; Society of Antiquaries of London and National Muse...

Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2004

The First Geophysical Survey at the Roman Villa of Milreu (Algarve/Portugal)

ICOMOS – Hefte des Deutschen Nationalkomitees, Aug 5, 2015

Römisches Glas aus Baden-Württemberg

Thorbecke eBooks, 2002

Tacitus, Agricola and the role of literature in the archaeology of the ﬁrst century AD

Die römischen Kasernen im Legionslager Vindobona: die Ausgrabungen am Judenplatz in Wien in den Jahren 1995–1998. By M. Mosser Monografien der Stadtarchäologie Wien, Bd. 5. Museen der Stadt Wien, Wien, 2010. 2 vols: pp. 1016 and 528, illus (some colour) + 8 colour folding plans. Price: €138.00. i...

Britannia, Jun 28, 2013

Representations of War in Ancient Rome (review)

The Journal of Military History, 2007

The wooden finds from Vindonissa - RUDOLF FELLMANN, RÖMISCHE KLEINFUNDE AUS HOLZ AUS DEM LEGIONSLAGER VINDONISSA (Veröffentlichungen der Gesellschaft Pro Vindonissa Band XX, Brugg 2009). S. 140, Abb. 23, Taf. 43. ISBN 978-3-9523105-3-3

Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2012

Books on the Germans (and Romans) - ERNST KÜNZL, DIE GERMANEN (Theiss Wissenkompakt; Konrad Theiss, Stuttgart 2006). Pp. 192, many figs. ISBN 978-3-8062-2026-1. EUR. 19. - Kunst und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, ROME UND DIE BARBAREN. EUROPA ZUR ZEIT DER VÖLKERWANDERUNG (Hirme...

Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2009

Use of Space and Variability of Ground Plans: A Study of Legionary Centurions’ Quarters

Theoretical Roman archaeology journal, Mar 31, 1995

Die Grabstelen des 2. und 3. Jahrhunderts im Rheingebiet

Britannia, 2000

without explaining who such people were, or how they might have operated. In his view, it was the... more without explaining who such people were, or how they might have operated. In his view, it was they who deftly blended elements of Roman and Gallic religion (101—5, cf. 241). But where, and to what degree, did they acquire their Roman culture; and how might we relate their knowledge of and priestly activity within their native religion to the suppression of the druids? (D. mentions druids only once, in a footnote on 101.) Indeed, though he claims to be interested in change, here, oddly (because elsewhere he displays a commendably strong grasp of current research), he fails to develop Jane Webster's work on the relationship between profound social dislocation and the evolution of Roman provincial religion, with its fruitful reference to modern colonial experience. In the event, indeed, D. offers little comparison between GalloRoman religion and, say, voodoo or more orthodox polytheistic systems such as hinduism or shintoism but, despite his criticism of categorization, much that is based on tables and distribution maps.

Excavations at South Shields Roman Fort, I

Britannia, 1998

Römische Glaskunst und Wandmalerei. Edited by Michael J Klein. 300mm. Pp viii + 160, ill. Mainz: von Zabern, 1999. ISBN 3–80532597–4. DM 68.00

The Antiquaries Journal, Sep 1, 2001

main aspects of mineral extraction. Towns especially benefit from the author's wide knowledge... more main aspects of mineral extraction. Towns especially benefit from the author's wide knowledge of the subject. Here again, the reader is reminded of the more squalid aspects of life in Romano-British towns, providing a salutary counter-balance to the sanitized pictures portrayed in many reconstructions. The author's unrivalled knowledge of Romano-British towns, however, has led to a certain imbalance in the book. While towns account for twenty-six pages (including nine pages of plans and reconstructions) only six are devoted to villas and rural temples, and five to farming and non-villa settlements. Similarly, in contrast to the fourteen plans and reconstructions of towns, only one, a villa reconstruction, relates to rural settlement. Topics such as imperial estates and centuriation are not discussed, nor is work by Hingley, Millett or Williamson referred to, either in the text or in the further reading section. A useful list of plant remains recorded from York is included, but little reference is made to the results of recent environmental research elsewhere. These omissions are no doubt due to the enormous range of the material covered, which has clearly forced a broad-brush rather than a detailed approach.

Die romische Reichsgrenze zwischen Mosel und Nordseekuste

Britannia, 1997

Rome's First Frontier: The Flavian Occupation of Northern Scotland

Oxbow says: Our conception of Roman frontiers is dominated by images of Hadrian's Wall, a fix... more Oxbow says: Our conception of Roman frontiers is dominated by images of Hadrian's Wall, a fixed, physical barrier comprising ditches, ramparts and walls, and forts. However, the Roman frontier known as the Gask line, located in Perthshire in Scotland, which is vying to become the earliest fortified land frontier in the Roman Empire, challenges our idea of Roman fontier systems. This study draws on ten years of investigation at Roman military sites in Scotland, including 27 excavations at 18 sites plus geophysical surveys and aerial photography. The first part of the book presents detailed surveys and descriptions of various forts, camps and watchtowers stretched across the Highlands accompanied by maps, plans and photographs. The second parts seeks to interpret the evidence and places it within a historical and military context. The authors assess the date and function of these military installations suggesting how they might have formed a highly flexible form of defence, designed to control and monitor, perhaps serving as points in a supply line or signalling system, and from which to launch assaults into the Highlands. The Gask Line not only represents a more open frontier system, unlike the fixed barriers of the Limes or Hadrian's Wall, but also shows how the existing historical narrative of Roman Scotland is both flawed and biased.

Beyond Celts, Germans and Scythians. Archaeology and Identity in Iron Age Europe

Classics Ireland (Dublin. 1994), 2002

Who were the Iron Age peoples of Europe? Celts, Germans, Scythians: these are among the names tha... more Who were the Iron Age peoples of Europe? Celts, Germans, Scythians: these are among the names that come to mind. But such names and the characteristics Beyond Celts, Germans and Scythians: archaeology and identity in. Iron Age Celts as Early Form of European Unity note Angeli 1980 seems a. to the racist perversion of German archaeology of the past, but at the same time The Keltoi lived beyond the Pillars of Hercules in Iberia as well as around the. combined with the traditional barbarian hordes of the Scythians, Getae and Beyond Celts Germans and Scythians Archaeology and Identity in.

Axel von Saldern, Antikes Glas

Bonner Jahrbücher, 2006

Germania Superior: eine römische Provinz in Frankreich, Deutschland und der Schweiz. By M. Klee. Verlag Friedrich Pustet, Regensburg, 2013. Pp. 246, illus., maps, plans. Price: €34.95. isbn978 3 791723 67 9

Britannia, Jul 3, 2015

each vessel type, providing information on use, date, function and context within the Roman world... more each vessel type, providing information on use, date, function and context within the Roman world, as well as listing parallels found elsewhere outside the Roman Empire. The data primarily consist of very small and fragmented settlement finds, as graves are extremely rare. Ingemark's intention is to use the data to shed light on Roman-Native interaction and the exchange of goods and ideas. He convincingly rejects former theories that the material was loot from abandoned Roman sites and argues that the vessels entered the region intact, primarily as a result of peaceful contacts. The majority of finds belong to the world of feasting and drinking, the single largest group being that of unspectacular cylindrical and prismatic bottles, which I. argues could have been used for wine. Along with cups and beakers, these were symbols of power to the native élite; something paralleled elsewhere outside the Empire and particularly in Roman Iron Age Scandinavia. To support his argumentation, I. uses sources from classical and prehistoric archaeology, ancient and medieval history, anthropology and sociology. The range of Roman glass vessels from native sites in the region is narrow, which reflects a deliberate choice and a specific meaning. Through both classical and early medieval insular sources, I. shows how feasting and generosity were integral parts of preserving power in Celtic and Germanic societies. By giving feasts and presenting gifts, the chief created bonds of loyalty, something also supported by modern anthropological studies. I. studies Roman drinking customs and the possible export of wine, as well as drinking customs in the later prehistoric period, in order to investigate whether the local élite could have adopted Roman customs. An important feature of prehistoric customs is the communal vessel, which is passed around from the host to the guests according to rank. This is reflected by drinking horns, which, according to I., could not be put down unless empty. In Roman society all participants had their own vessel. Evidence both from the settlements north of Hadrian's Wall and in the Germanic regions (not Free Germany, which is a nineteenth-century misunderstanding of Tacitus) suggests the use of several vessels, which indicates an understanding of Roman customs among the local élites. This, however, should not be construed as a substitution for but rather as complementary to local customs. Through the intellectual import of ideas along with Roman objects for a particular purpose, the local élites used prestige goods and the knowledge of how they worked as a means to preserve power. Knowledge along with wealth and 'generosity' thus constitute I.'s tripartite prestige goods model. The evidence suggests that Roman prestige goods were selected by the élite rather than being an arbitrary choice and that political rather than commercial incentives drove the import. The distribution of vessels shows considerable regional differences, for instance, almost half the finds come from Traprain Law in East Lothian. Other regions such as northern Northhumberland are almost void. This may well reflect different alliances with Rome. I. has produced a solid volume, in which he thoroughly discusses the significance of the Roman glass vessels and Roman and prehistoric drinking customs. Although I am not entirely convinced by his arguments concerning the significance of the communal cup in Roman Iron Age Germania, these, like all his arguments, are thoroughly backed up by numerous references. However, he only touches very lightly upon the question of how these objects reached Scotland, mentioning 'trade' without going into much detail. This may be of more urgency for the study of élite graves in Scandinavia, which are so much further away from the Empire, but what is the significance of the varied distribution pattern? It would have been desirable to include a brief discussion of the nature of contact, whether trade or political relations. That said, this work will be of great use for scholars working on Germanic élite graves, and other regions around the Roman Empire. A very interesting result of I.'s analyses is that a region where the primary context is settlements is so well suited for comparison with regions for which theories are based on grave finds.

R. Lierke's theories on ancient glass-making - ROSEMARIE LIERKE, ANTIKE GLASTÖPFEREI. EIN VERGESSENES KAPITEL DER GLASGESCHICHTE (Zaberns Bildbände zur Archäologie, Mainz 1999). Pp. 156, figs. 346. ISBN 3-8053-2442-1

Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2004

Army Documents - (K.) Stauner Das offizielle Schriftwesen des römischen Heeres von Augustus bis Gallienus (27 v.Chr. – 268 n.Chr). Eine Untersuchung zu Struktur, Funktion und Bedeutung des offiziellen militärischen Verwaltungsdokumentation und zu deren Schreibern. Pp. vi + 500, ills. Bonn: Dr. Ru...

Classical Review, Mar 8, 2010

The Quarters of Legionary Centurions of the Principate

Britannia, 1995

The Quarters of Legionary Centurions of the Principate* By BIRGITTA HOFFMANN INTRODUCTION This pa... more

Archaeology of the Western Isles I: The Inner Isles and the Western Seabord

Blockseminar for MANCENT (Manchester, UK) 30 Sept 2016

From Byzantium to Venice via the Crusaders: Cyprus in the Medieval Period

Blockseminar for MANCENT, (Manchester,UK), 2nd December 2016

How Northwest Britain became Roman

Lecture at MANCENT; Manchester, UK, 29 September 2016.

An Introduction to Bead Identification

A brief introduction on bead identification, focusing on matierialsm, colours and dates of beads ... more

Belisarius' triumph and Justinian's Equestrian Statue - Justinian as a new Augustus?

In the aftermath of Justinian's conquest of North Africa and Italy, Belisarius celebrated accordi... more In the aftermath of Justinian's conquest of North Africa and Italy, Belisarius celebrated according to Prokopius a ‘Triumph in the Old Style’ with other victories celebrated by an equestrian statue in the hippodrome in Constantinople. Both acts find close parallels in the way Augustan conquests in Africa were celebrated (incl. the creation of the Forum Romanum and the Forum Augustus as places of victory), including the fact that the last ever non-dynastic triumph in Rome was also celebrated over Africa.

Mischa Meier (2003/4, 147-165) sees the Belisarius’ triumph very much in the context of an imperial programme of renovatio imperii and a possible celebration of the ‘ludi saeculare’ and thus the actions as a late but emperor driven imitatio Augusti in a Christian/Constantinopolitan setting.

The Belisarius’ triumph is not the only reference to victory parades during Justinian’s reign. There are also victory celebrations with triumphal elements for the victory over the Persians (530), the Bulgars (both recorded on the inscription of the Horse of Justinian in the Hippodrom) and in the aftermath of the Nike uprising (Jord. Rom. 364: sociosque eorum, qui evaserunt a caede, proscriptos,veluti grande hoste prostrato de manubiis triumphavit). Finally a victory parade was held by Narses in the aftermath of the final Gothic defeat in Rome twenty years later (Agathias 2.11).

Mostly, these references are tantalising in their mention of triumphal elements, but too brief and not usually linked to an intended imitatio by the original authors, whereas Prokopius’ ‘tiumph in the old style’ actually mentions some clearly non triumphal elements (such as Belisarius walking). Instead the parallels with Augustus seem to continue an overall theme of his work, reminiscent of an intended parallel biography. The fact that this theme is lacking or not as clearly expressed in other writers covering the period such as Agathias raises the question of whose imitatio Augusti we are seeing: Justinian’s or Prokopius’?

Cited literature:
M.Meier (2003/4), Das andere Zeitalter Justinians. Goettingen: Vandenhoek &Rupprecht.

The curious case of the riverside shaft deposits

In one of the earliest useable archaeological excavation reports from Scotland, the excavator des... more In one of the earliest useable archaeological excavation reports from Scotland, the excavator describes a series of shafts that were eroded out by the Almond outside Bertha fort. The deep pits contain pottery, but the report makes it clear that they are not cremation graves. This paper is going to discuss the original report and compare them to similar deposits since then discovered in sanctuaries and vici to gain a better understanding of their original use.

Glass from an Imperial Villa - The excavations at Villa Magna, Italy

Villa Magna is the villa mentioned in the Frontinian letters as the place where Marcus Aurelius c... more Villa Magna is the villa mentioned in the Frontinian letters as the place where Marcus Aurelius celebrated the harvest festivals. Excavations on the site have produced a wide range of glass, both from the Imperial reception room, the servant accommodation and the other buildings.
It attests to occupation from the mid second century AD to the late Roman period and the Early Medieval Period. Documenting a pattern of glass usage ranging from high quality and selective glass use of the late second century to the mundane of the 5/6th century AD.

Trading with the Fezzan -Glass exchange betwen the Romands and hte Central Sahara in the 1st - 5th century AD

"The Garamantes have long been recognized as one of the crucial elements of the trade in the East... more "The Garamantes have long been recognized as one of the crucial elements of the trade in the Eastern Sahara. Following a survey of the glass material in Germa and during the work of the Fezzan Project it was possible to reassess the glass material found in the Fezzan proper. The material dates from the late Hellenistic to the early Islamic Period and shows marked changes in the type of material chosen for trade in the area that appears to be the preferred trading partner. The exchanges in the early Roman period have to be characterised as of medium quality, without many luxury items, but carefully controlled in the selection of items with a strong preference to the Western Mediterranean. It seems that from the third century onwards a much wider assemblage of material was brought to the oasis, probably from Egypt, and including very high quality items as well as everyday articles.
The paper will survey the material found and draw on parallels from other sites in the region.

"

Planning in the vicinity of Roman Legionary Fortresses

It has long since been recognized that the siting of legionary fortresses is guided by strategic,... more It has long since been recognized that the siting of legionary fortresses is guided by strategic, tactical and logistical considerations. However, detailed studies of the location of the legionary fortresses within their hinterland suggest a high degree of standardisation both in the selection criteria of the sites as well as the development and placement of the surrounding settlement sites. Based on a larger study of legionary fortresses of the 1-3rd century AD in the Western Empire, this paper will highlight some of the more striking features of the landscape surrounding fortresses and explore possible underlying explanations for these patterns.

Frauen und römisches Militär: Beiträge eines rundes Tisches in Xanten vom 7. bis 9. Juli 2005. Archaeopress 2008.

Ancient West & East vol. 13, 2014

The wooden Finds from Vindonissa. review of : R. Fellmann, Die roemischen Kleinfunde aus Holz aus dem Legionslager Vindonissa (Brugg 2009)

Journal of Roman Archaeology 25, p.828-830., 2012

S. Stallibrass and R. Thomas (eds.), Feeding the Roman Army: The Archaeology of Production and Supply in NW Europe, (Oxbow 2008) in: Ancient West and East 11, 2012, 423-427.

A. Schmidt-Colinet (ed.), Lokale Identitaeten in Randgebieten des Roemischen Reiches (Vienna 2008) in: Ancient West and East 11, 2012, 421-423.

Books on the Germans (and the Romans)

Representations of War in Ancient Rome (review)

The Journal of Military History, Jan 1, 2007

Once the empire is reached the articles reflect much more the established discourse of art histor... more

Die Wagenlenker der Römischen Kaiserzeit. Untersuchungen zu ihrer sozialen Stellung (review)

Gnomon, Jan 1, 2002

Beyond Celts, Germans and Scythians. Archaeology and Identity in Iron Age Europe (review)

Classics Ireland, Jan 1, 2002

Die Grabstelen des 2. und 3. Jahrhunderts im Rheingebiet (review)

Britannia, Jan 1, 2000

Birdoswald: Excavations of a Roman Fort on Hadrian's Wall and Its Successor Settlements 1987-92 (review)

Britannia, Jan 1, 1999

... Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10068/426759. ... more ... Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10068/426759. Title:Birdoswald Excavations of a Roman fort on Hadrian&amp;amp;amp;#x27;s Wall and its successor settlements; 1987-92. Authors: Wilmott, T. English Heritage, London (United Kingdom). Issue Date: 1997. ...

Ruling Roman Britain. Kings, Queens, Governors and Emperors from Julius Caesar to Agricola (review)

Gnomon, Jan 1, 1999

Die römische Reichsgrenze zwischen Mosel und Nordseeküste (review)

Britannia, Jan 1, 1997

Glass and gold beads from UTT45

A report on the glass and beads (both Glass and gold) found during the excavations of Network arc... more

Roman Gask Project Website

by David John Woolliscroft and Birgitta Hoffmann

Website of the Roman Gask Project with manuscript reports, Aerial photographs and research articl... more

Glass bead identification for PAS Sept 2015

Bead submitted by Peter Reavill, FLO Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Anglo-Saxon polychrome bead

Assessment Catalogue on the Roman and Modern Glass from Inveresk

Small collection of Roman and Modern Glass found near the Roman site of Inveresk.

The Roman Glass from Swinton

Short report on glass recovered during Elmet Archaeology's excavation at Swinton.

Assessment catalogue for the glass from the 2014 survey at Fordoun

An assessment of the glass material collected on the Aberdeenshire site of Fordoun during a field... more

Catalogue of the glass beads in the J.Roberts collection in Perth Museum

Archive report for Perth Museum and Art Galleries

The Roman Glass from Cullompton

The Glass and Amber beads from Snusgar, Orkney

archive report for David Griffitshs, Oxford university

The Glass Objects from Bainbridge Roman fort

Archive Report for Tyne & Wear Museums & Archives

Assessment of a bead found at Bertha

Archive report of 17th century bead for Perth Museum and Galleries

The beads from Dunning.

Archive Report for Perth Museum and Galleries

The Glass and Glass objects from Vindolanda

Report for the Vindolanda Trust

Trade & Traders in early Modern Europe.

5 week lecture course for the Glossop Guild in Autumn 2016 1. Fuggers and Southern German Traders... more

Titus, Domitian and Nerva - The descent into madness

Lecture Series for MANCENT, Manchester, UK, Autumn 2016

How Northwest Britain became Roman

Lecture for MANCENT, Manchester, UK, 29 Sept 2016

From Byzantium to Venice via the Crusaders: Cyprus in the Medieval Period

Dayschool for MANCENT, Manchester, UK, 2nd December 2016

Roman and Hellenistic culture of the Egyptian Delta

Lecture for MANCENT, Manchester, UK, 20 October 2016

Can't live with them, can't live without them: Living on the Edges of the Roman Empire

Dayschool for MANCENT, Manchester, UK

Sallust, De Coniuratione Catilinae

Reading Class for Advanced Latin Students (Autumn 2016, MANCENT, Manchester, UK)

Caesar, de Bello Gallico Book I

Reading Class for Advanced Latin Student (Autumn 2016, MANCENT, Manchester UK

Nero, the early years of the teenage emperor

The last of the Julio-Claudian emperors came to the throne through the machinations of a court ca... more The last of the Julio-Claudian emperors came to the throne through the machinations of a court cabal, headed by his mother. Unsurprisingly the early years were run not so much by him, but by the members of this conspiracy Pallas, Seneca, Burrus, Agrippina. These lectures will explore the events and atmosphere at the court during these years.

7th May: Educating an Emperor
14th May: Winning a war with words: the Parthian Settlement
21st May: The Golden Years?
11th June: Agrippina: The death of “a well beloved Mother”
18th June: Boudicca and the results of imperial mismanagement
25th June: Emerging as his own man: Burrus and Octavia

Assyria: Lionhunting, palaces and more

The Assyrians, well known from the Bible and Egyptian papyri dominated the Middle East for 19 cen... more The Assyrians, well known from the Bible and Egyptian papyri dominated the Middle East for 19 centuries. Their biggest extent was reached during the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which included not only the Middle East, but also much of Egypt and modern Turkey. This dayschool will look at the remains left behind and how this empire was administered and the art and archaeology it produced.

Layard’s excavations at Nineveh

The casual visitor to the British Museum when asked about the things they saw, frequently mention... more The casual visitor to the British Museum when asked about the things they saw, frequently mentions the Elgin Marbles, the Egyptians and ‘those reliefs’; those Reliefs being the palace reliefs from the palaces of Nimrud and Nineveh excavated by Henry Austen Layard in the 19th century. His excavations changed European perception of the archaeology of the Middle East, adding with the library of Assurbanipal a huge resource for the understanding of the Assyrians.

Roman Medicine between science and magic

Staying healthy and getting well was one of the main interests for all classes in Rome. It is thu... more Staying healthy and getting well was one of the main interests for all classes in Rome. It is thus of little surprise to find medical instruments at most sites over a certain sites, and medical treatises like Galen or Celsus continued to be used for centuries as the backbone of medical training. However, without full understanding of what causes illness and treatment not always easily available, health and cures were also sought and offered through religion (such as the dream cures at Kos) or magic practices such as healing stones. This course will look at the various practices and their associated archaeological remains from hospitals and surgical instruments, to votives and coloured jewellery.

Roman Spas, Baiae, Bath and beyond

Roman Baths were not just for bathing but also places of healing. Especially at locations of hot ... more Roman Baths were not just for bathing but also places of healing. Especially at locations of hot springs the Romans combined religion and the treatment of wounds and illness with great success (to judge from the votives found), while some like Baiae became great centres of tourism. We will be looking at the archaeology and infrastructure associated with these sites.

The Princely Burials of the Hallstatt Period in France and Germany

At the beginning of March French Archaeologists announced the discovery of one of the biggest Hal... more At the beginning of March French Archaeologists announced the discovery of one of the biggest Hallstatt princely burials near Troyes. This is the newest and possibly largest of a number of princely graves that first combine Mediterranean cultural imports (such as wine and vessels from Greece and Etruria) with a sumptuous burial in chambers and chariots, providing the first recognisable kings and queens in Central and Western Europe with all they might need for a royal afterlife. Their survival provides us with an insight into the cultural horizon that created the various cultures that the Greeks would eventually call 'Keltoi'.

Venice: The Terra Firma and the Stato del Mar

With the rise of political power Venice acquired territory on dry land, which needed administerin... more With the rise of political power Venice acquired territory on dry land, which needed administering. Most of these possessions were administered by governors, but quickly two very different forms of rule developed. The Stato del Mar, best defined as Europe’s first Colonial Empire, where the economic exploitation on behalf of Venice and the defence of these economic assets dominated life and closer to home and easily reachable from Venice the Terra Firma (today’s Veneto, Friuli and Coastal Slovenia). Here the great families of Venice acquired personal landholdings, built villas and developed the land as country retreats from the bustle of Venice. The course will compare the economic and political differences and the results for architecture, art and everyday culture in the two areas.

Istria and Friuli: The Patriarchate between the Empire and Venice

The Areas of Istria and Friuli, which today cover four modern countries (Italy, Austria, Slovenia... more The Areas of Istria and Friuli, which today cover four modern countries (Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia) are the traditional gateway between Italy and the Balkans. Dominated by mountains and a complicated coastline, it is a natural centre for trade and a ‘Cock pit of Europe’. In this dayschool we explore the history and art of the area from the coming of the Carolingians (c. 800AD) to 1750, when the area was fully under Venice’s control.

Our exploration of the history of the Roman emperors continues with the Claudius years after the ... more Our exploration of the history of the Roman emperors continues with the Claudius years after the Conquest of Britain to his assassination in 54 AD.
Jan 22 Triumphing over Britain and other Fruits of peace

Jan 29 The antiquarian creates new traditions
Feb 5 Providing for Rome: grain supply and Ostia
Feb 12 Securing the frontiers: the Rhine and the Balkans
Feb 19 Herself at home - Nothing but trouble with the wives
Feb 26 The generosity of the Empire? New towns, new
citizens
March 5 The generosity of the Emperor – Britainrevisited
March 12 The question of the succession
Mar 19 Mushrooms and other terminal issues

Kush and Meroe: The Egypt that did not fall

While Egypt succumbed from the 8th century BC to a series of foreign invaders, its southern neigh... more While Egypt succumbed from the 8th century BC to a series of foreign invaders, its southern neighbour in the Sudan, though sharing much of the Egyptian culture, remained an independent kingdom and became increasingly a problem for the new rulers in the North. This dayschool will look at the history and archaeology of this fascinating culture.

All the fun of the – amphitheatre? gladiators and charioteers on Roman mosaics

From the late Republic to the 6th century scenes of chariot races and gladiators were one of the ... more From the late Republic to the 6th century scenes of chariot races and gladiators were one of the most popular mosaic designs. But what do they signify? Are they just expressions of avid supporters, advertising by horse breeders and impressarios for their products or an expression of social expectations of the nouveaux riches? Are chariot races an expression of religious beliefs in a sun cult or a metaphor for the rat race of life? To answer or at least discuss the question we will follow the different forms of these mosaics from Britain to Africa and the Royal palace of Constantinople and Piazza Armerina.

The Power of Images revisited: Political Art and Public Relations in Rome and Today

by Andrew Tibbs and Birgitta Hoffmann

In 1987 Paul Zanker published the ‘Power of Images in the Age of Augustus’ and changed our way of... more In 1987 Paul Zanker published the ‘Power of Images in the Age of Augustus’ and changed our way of looking at the art of Imperial Rome. Instead of aesthetics, the focus of the interpretation was now the ‘political message’ the emperor was sending to its audiences, the political elite in Rome, the urban plebs, but also the people in the provinces, both military and civilian. In the intervening 30 years publications on the content and change of messages over time and imperial preferences have abounded.

At the same time modern understanding of the control of image in the media and the feasibility of political discourse through images has progressed. This course takes the Zanker arguments and discusses them between an archaeologist and a modern media and public relations expert to establish, how far the arguments still hold and what limitations the emperors faced.

Ad Vallum:Papers on the Roman Army and Frontiers in Celebration of Dr Brian Dobson

by Adam Parker, Matthew Symonds, Birgitta Hoffmann, Stefanie Hoss, and Richard Bridgland

This volume is intended as a Gedenkschrift to celebrate the work and legacy of Dr Brian Dobson. T... more This volume is intended as a Gedenkschrift to celebrate the work and legacy of Dr Brian Dobson. The papers are provided by members of the Hadrianic Society, which Brian was instrumental in setting up over 40 years ago, and represent a range of Roman scholarship by current and former university professors, museum and post-excavation professionals, field archaeologists and non-professionals. The range of papers is indicative of the range of interests held within the Hadrianic Society and those of Brian himself, but focus on the Roman army and Roman frontiers, particularly Hadrian’s Wall.

Military archaeology and women. Presentation at AIAC2018. Panel 12.10: AIAC-round table discussion. Diversity in the Past: diversity in the Present? Issues of gender, whiteness and class in "Classical" Archaeology (organised by E Mol and L.Lodwick)

These are the notes for a short overview paper on the history of Roman military studies and how t... more

Small finds assemblages as a means to understanding social and economic patterns within the settlements close to Roman camps

Compared to pottery and metalwork, glass (and the associated glass beads) occupies a middle posit... more Compared to pottery and metalwork, glass (and the associated glass beads) occupies a middle position, still ubiquitous enough to allow for comparative analysis between settlements, but of a low enough volume to allow for settlement wide analysis. Consequently, given the numerous glass reports from the Britain and the European Roman provinces, we are now able to compare assemblages between different sites.

This paper analyses the evidence for local manufacture of vessel glass and glass beads from military vici/canabae and the general profile of glass use within these settlements, to understand if the glass of the military auxiliary vici and the canabae differs in its functional composition or whether the higher amount of luxury glass is solely a function of the larger size of the canabae.

Hadrian’s Expeditio Britannica – a new look at its historical and archaeological context

The Expeditio Britannica is one of the less well understood aspects of Hadrian’s reign with quest... more The Expeditio Britannica is one of the less well understood aspects of Hadrian’s reign with question marks over its date, extent and even strategic importance. The paper is going review the evidence in view of archaeological work in Britain as well as our current understanding of the general military and political situation at the beginning of Hadrian’s reign.

Stracathro and its role on the Roman Gask Frontier

Summary of a post accepted for the 2018 RAC/TRAC conference in Edinburgh, April 2018.