The Quantification and Interpretation of Ceramic Building Material (CBM) Assemblages in Britain. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Warry, Peter
• Is Part Of: Britannia. Volume 51(2020)
• Page Start: 348
• Page End: 360
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: CBM, -- quantification, -- recycling, -- Gloucester; Great Britain -- History -- Roman period, 55 B.C.-449 A.D -- Periodicals; Great Britain -- Antiquities, Roman -- Periodicals; Romans -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 936.10305
• DOI: 10.1017/S0068113X20000033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0068-113X

Abstract

Abstract: Quantification of assemblages of ceramic building material (CBM) is now normal excavation practice, but there is insufficient standardisation of methodology and little study of the validity or uses of these analyses. Consequently, it is difficult to interpret confidently the resulting analyses or make comparisons between sites. This paper suggests a simple approach and tests its validity empirically in urban environments where the high level of constructional churn should generate assemblage homogeneity. It then shows how the results can help with site and building interpretation.