Caledonians: Encyclopedia II - Caledonians - Archaeological evidence

Caledonians - Archaeological evidence

There is little direct evidence of a Caledonian archaeological culture but it is possible to describe the settlements in their territory during their existence.

The hillforts that stretched from the North York Moors to the Scottish highlands are evidence of a distinctive character emerging in northern Great Britain from the Middle Iron Age onwards. They were much smaller than the hillforts further south, often less than a hectare in area and there is no evidence that they were extensively occupied or defended by the Caledonians who appear to generally have had a dispersed settlement pattern. Suggestions of widespread warfare in Scotland at this period have been made [4].

By the time of the Roman invasion there had been a move towards less heavily-fortified but better sheltered farmsteads surrounded by earthwork enclosures. Individual family groups likely inhabited these new fortified farmsteads, linked together with their neighbours through intermarriage.

The reason for this change from hilltop fortresses to farms amongst the Caledonians and their neighbours is unknown. Barry Cunliffe considers that the importance of demonstrating an impressive residence became less significant by the second century because of falling competition for resources due to advances in food production or a population decline. Alternatively, finds of Roman material may mean that social display became more of a matter of personal adornment with imported exotica rather than building an impressive dwelling.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Archaeological evidence", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki