The Classification and Interpretation of Romano-British Treasures

Abstract

of Roman treasure hoards from Britain. Some years ago the main problems were succinctly and helpfully outlined by Reece,' but the study of treasures has remained unfashionable amongst those who have been interested in theoretical approaches, and in recent years few scholars of Roman Britain have devoted much thought to their classification and interpretation. Although many of the points raised below may appear obvious, it is clear that this subject requires more intensive debate, and an attempt to set out some basic parameters is overdue. One of the principal difficulties in dealing with the subject is that it is not really possible to isolate the question of the hoarding of precious metal in one province of the Roman Empire from the related issues of hoarding in prehistory or the medieval periods, the hoarding of materials other than gold and silver, or the nature of the practice in areas other than the Roman province of Britannia. A good summary of the problems based on this wider approach may be found in a discussion published by Pauli in 1985.2 Attempts to range as widely as the subject requires can all too easily involve the researcher in matters beyond his or her experience and knowledge and can also diffuse the focus of the research to a point where it becomes merely a recital of vague generalisations. There are likewise pitfalls in applying too directly and literally to the Roman period hypotheses which derive from the study of prehistory. Theoretical studies of Bronze Age metalwork, such as those by Needham and Burgess3 and Bradley4 have been cited in some recent publications as support for new interpretations of Romano-British hoards, but it should hardly be necessary to point out that alleged similarities between Bronze Age and Roman practices cannot be taken as read: they have to be specifically demonstrated.