A long way from home – diasporas in Romano- British towns Hella Eckardt, Mary Lewis & Gundula Müldner Carolyn Chenery & Stephany Leach University of Reading

How many foreigners lived in Romano-British towns? What are the sources of evidence for their presence? What levels of mobility and migration do we expect in the Roman Empire? How well integrated were incomers and locals?

To the spirits of the departed, Regina, freedwoman and wife of Barates from Palmyra who is herself of Catuvellaunian descent She lived for 30 years

What levels of mobility do we expect, especially in towns? Noy 2000: 5% of people living in the City of Rome during the high Empire were incomers

Rowland, R.J Foreigners in Roman Britain. Acta Archaeologica Academiae Scientiarium Hungaricae 28,

126 out of 2218 recorded inscriptions from Roman Britain mention migrants = 5% (after Rowlands 1976)

The uneven distribution of epigraphic evidence from Roman Britain

We hope to address the lived experience of diaspora communities, by combining archaeological and scientific techniques

Artefacts & Burial rite Foodways & diet (Carbon & Nitrogen isotopes) Health (Osteology) Osteological ancestry assessments DIASPORA COMMUNITIES Migration: Str & O isotopes

"Diaspora theory is about creating and maintaining identity in communities dispersed among other peoples. It is about the local and non-local and how, through processes of hybridity and creolization, some groups of people can be both at the same time." (I. Lilley, 2004: 287)

To the spirits of the departed, Regina, freedwoman and wife of Barates from Palmyra who is herself of Catuvellaunian descent She lived for 30 years Note the inscription in Palmyrene script, which reads: Regina, freedwoman of Barate(s), alas!

You Are What You Eat All body tissues including bone are synthesized from the molecular components of the food and drink consumed Isotopic "fingerprints" of food become incorporated in consumer bones  13 C  18 O 87 Sr/ 86 Sr  15 N

"Migration Isotopes": Oxygen  18 O of precipitation varies between regions, mainly according to –climate –weather –geography  Incorporated in human skeleton via drinking water

"Migration Isotopes": Strontium 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios in soils vary according to surface geology –type of bedrock –geological age of bedrock  Incorporated in human skeleton via (locally grown) foods © NIGL

2 year project 150 samples Previous published migration isotope studies for Roman Britain: 24

Eboracum – Roman York provincial capital of Britannia Inferior military, economic and administrative centre of the North Septimius Severus and imperial court in York, AD Constantine the Great proclaimed emperor 306 AD

Warmer further West or South more coastalCooler further East or North more continental

Warmer further West or South more coastalCooler further East or North more continental Too hot for the UK

Warmer further West or South more coastalCooler further East or North more continental Too cold for the UK

Roman Winchester Venta Belgarum

Clarke describes 16 graves dated to AD as intrusive: 8 men, 4 adult women and 4 young women ‘Intrusive’ men

Evans, J., Stoodley, N., Chenery, C., A strontium and oxygen isotope assessment of a possible fourth century immigrant population in a Hampshire cemetery, southern England. Journal of Archaeological Science 33, samples from Lankhills + 18 from previous study

Clarke describes 16 graves dated to AD as intrusive: 8 men, 4 adult women and 4 young women ‘Intrusive’ men

Pannonian Family, National Museum Budapest Discrepancy between archaeological & scientific data…. 2nd generation immigrant? Intermarriage? Impact of age, gender, status?

How many foreigners lived in Romano-British towns? What are the sources of evidence for their presence? What levels of mobility and migration do we expect in the Roman Empire? How well integrated were incomers and locals?

“Local”Probably from elsewhere in Britain Probable long- distance migrants Total Sample York40 (59%)13 (19%)15 (22%)68 Catterick12 (46%)11 (42%)3 (12%)26 Gloucester10 (48%)4 (19%)7 (33%)21 Lankhills30 (52%)8 (14%)20 (34%)58

Conclusions Large numbers of individuals can be defined as non-local isotopically Not just men but also women migrating As expected, the relationship between burial rite and origin is complex The benefits of a multi-disciplinary approach Challenge stereotype of essentially homogenous Romano-British society through active out-reach

Outreach Yorkshire Museum – 2010 The People of Roman York Exhibition

Aaron Watson uk.com

Outreach: Short stories and teaching packs with Caroline Lawrence

Thank You! Andrew Morrison and the Yorkshire Museum York Archaeological Trust The Natural History Museum, London