The absence of late Roman archaeology: identification issues in the Flemish archaeological record

In the past two decades, commercial archaeology has increased the known number of Roman sites immensly in Flanders, Belgium. However, this increase is not visible for Late Roman sites. This paper argues that, in addition to a population regression and other societal changes, the state of the archaeological record is influenced by traditional narratives and a way of thinking that limits us in finding more Late Roman archaeology in the area of Flanders. Arguments include the variety of known and retrievable material culture, the 3rd century narrative, and a Germanic bias.

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