Ray Howell

‘There are huge gaps in our understanding of the lives of the Silures … Despite what is in many instances a glaring lack of evidence, I’ve increasingly become convinced that trying to tease out what we can about the social structure of these people offers one of our best avenues to understanding them better.’Silures explores exciting new discoveries and changing interpretations to give an up-to-date analysis of the Iron Age peoples of south-east Wales. From ‘the study of stuff’, new evidence of trade and commerce and archaeological discoveries, to the suggestion of a new research agenda and a consideration of Silurian resonances in modern Wales, Ray Howell’s insights are based on personal observations and his own research activities, including excavations in the Silurian region.

Celtic Wales is about the beginnings of Wales and how the period from the Iron Age to medieval times helped shape and define the modern nation of Wales. Early Wales has a spectacular archaeological, literary and mythical heritage. This book uses archaeology and early historical documents to discuss all aspects of early Welsh society, from war to farming and from drinking habits to Druids.

The Silures, the Iron Age tribe of south-east Wales, are described by Roman sources as among the most implacable foes of Roman expansion. The remarkable Silurian War, a protracted and surprisingly successful guerrilla campaign, saw the advancing legions kept at bay for a quarter of a century. In this important new book, Dr Ray Howell examines our current knowledge of these fascinating but enigmatic people. The Silures emerge as a resilient and sophisticated clan-based tribal confederation. Their martial traditions, reflected in their material culture including artefacts such as the red enamelled trappings of their chariots, found expression in their remarkable resistance to Roman seizure of their lands. Elements of their traditions survived the extended period of occupation which followed the Roman conquest to be reasserted in post-Roman south-east Wales. The story of the Silures is one of the most gripping to have come down to us from later British prehistory. This fully illustrated new account tells that story.

This volume describes work on the Iron Age hillfort of Lodge Hill Camp, in Gwent, south-east Wales. Situated adjacent to the later Roman legionary fortress at Caerleon, the hillfort has, until recently, received little archaeological attention. Excavation was undertaken during the summer of 2000 within the interior of the hillfort, at its western entrance, and across the inner bank and ditch of the defences. An extended discussion is offered of Lodge Hills position within the regional Iron Age sequence, and of Roman and early Medieval reuse of hillforts in south Wales. The results of geophysical and earthwork survey at the hillfort of Llanmelin, near Chepstow, are also reported on. Contents: 1) Introduction (Joshua Pollard, Michael Hamilton & Neil Phillips); 2) Excavation Results (Joshua Pollard, Adrian Chadwick & Lesley McFadyen); 3) Artefactual Material [Ironwork (Philip Macdonald); Metalworking slags (Tim Young); Prehistoric pottery (Rick Peterson, Joshua Pollard & Elaine Morris); Droitwich briquetage (Joshua Pollard & Elaine Morris); Roman pottery (Ray Howell & Joshua Pollard); Medieval pottery (Rick Peterson & Joshua Pollard); Brick and tile (Joshua Pollard); Fired clay (Joshua Pollard); Worked flint (Joshua Pollard); Other worked stone (Joshua Pollard) ]; 4) Environmental Evidence (Ruth Young); 5) Discussion: Lodge Hill Camp and the hillforts of Gwent (Joshua Pollard, Ray Howell, Adrian Chadwick & Lesley McFadyen); 7) Appendix 1. Llanmelin Hillfort, Caerwent: geophysical and earthwork survey (Daryl Williams).