Internet Archaeol. 17. Allison. Summary 8

Section 8: Analyses of the Distribution of People and Activities

P.M. Allison, with a contribution from A. Fairbairn

This article analyses the distribution patterns of a sample of functional and gendered categories within the fortress of Vetera which can be plotted by the reader (see 9.2 and 9.3). This group of categories has been selected because they are potentially concerned with personal activities and the presence and roles of women in this fortress. The distribution patterns for other categories (e.g. tableware and food preparation activities) at Vetera I have been explored elsewhere (Allison n.d. 3).

Analyses

8.1 Toilet activities: The few items related to toilet activities recorded at Vetera I were mainly concentrated in residential buildings, the main street and Building T.

8.2 Dress: The distribution of dress-related items, including combat dress, showed a concentration of women' and children's items in the street and in the officers' residence but also in other less predictable areas.

8.3 Cloth-production: The poor representation of cloth-production at Vetera I may be related to traditional recording approaches to military sites but may throw light on the function of Building Z.

8.4 Gaming: Gaming items in good contexts are concentrated at the east end of the via principalis.

8.5 Writing: Artefacts associated with writing occur in concentrations which may help to identify the use of space in particular buildings and parts of buildings

8.6 Gender: Analysis of the distribution of gender-related activities and dress, can help better understanding of the areas frequented by women and children and the types of activities carried out in certain buildings.

8.7 Overall interpretations: These analyses, tested for robustness by using statistical analysis, demonstrated both predictable and unpredictable patterns of use of space at Vetera I and the place of women and children in this environment.