Overview
I am studying the rituals and religion of Roman mines in the Western Empire. The aim of this study is to determine what, if any specific religious practices can be found in both underground and surface mining between the first century BC and fourth century AD in Western Europe. The study will incorporate archaeology, ancient history and anthropology to interpret any material culture of mines and miners. This should also produce an insight into any unifying themes of cult practices between the mining districts of the Roman Empire.
Research
Thesis
The Rituals & Religion of Roman Mines, Miners & Mining Districts In The Western Empire
The Rituals & Religion of Roman Mines, Miners & Mining Districts In The Western Empire
The proposed study intends to assess the religion and rituals of mines, miners and mining districts within the Western Roman Empire between the first century BC and the fourth century AD. Even though the people and places of ancient mining have the potential to represent complex sacred landscapes and practices, there are no extant contemporary accounts which specifically describe this aspect of Roman society. It is therefore intended to address the questions of whether mines represented sacred landscapes and whether there were any commonalities in the religious beliefs and practices of the miners who worked in them.
Biography
- National Trust - Dolaucothi Gold Mines (2019)
- University of Leicester Archaeological Services (2018 - 2019)
- MA Ancient Religions - University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter (2016 - 2018)
- Suffolk Archaeology (2015 - 2016)
- BA Ancient History & Archaeology (2012 - 2015)
Supervisors
Research themes
Specialisms
- Ancient history
- Archaeology
- Greek and Roman archaeology
- Roman Mining
- Roman Religion