An Oxford Archaeological Guide: From Earliest Times to 1700 Oxford

Oxford is a city with a rich and varied archaeological history. The area has been inhabited for thousands of years, and there is evidence of human activity from the earliest times. In this guide, we will take a journey through Oxford's archaeological past, from the earliest evidence of human habitation to the end of the 17th century.

The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide from Earliest Times to 1700 (Oxford Archaeological Guides)

by William Martin

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13180 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	576 pages
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The Earliest Times

The earliest evidence of human habitation in the Oxford area dates back to the Mesolithic period, around 10,000 BC. These early settlers were hunter-gatherers who lived in small groups and moved around the landscape in search of food. They left behind a number of artifacts, including flints, arrowheads, and pottery.

During the Neolithic period, around 4000 BC, people in the Oxford area began to settle down in permanent villages and practice agriculture. They built houses, grew crops, and raised livestock. They also began to make pottery and other objects of art.

The Bronze Age, which began around 2000 BC, saw the of new technologies, such as metalworking and weaving. People in the Oxford area began to build larger and more elaborate houses, and they also began to make jewelry and other objects of luxury.

The Iron Age, which began around 800 BC, was a time of great change in the Oxford area. The population grew rapidly, and new settlements were founded. People began to build hillforts, which were large, fortified enclosures that provided protection from attack.

The Roman Period

The Roman conquest of Britain in 43 AD had a profound impact on the Oxford area. The Romans built a fort at the confluence of the River Thames and the River Cherwell, and they also established a civilian settlement nearby. The Roman town of Oxonia grew rapidly, and it soon became a major center of trade and government.

The Romans left behind a number of important archaeological remains, including the city walls, the Roman baths, and the amphitheater. These remains provide a glimpse into the life of Roman Oxford, and they help us to understand the role that the city played in the Roman Empire.

The Anglo-Saxon Period

The Anglo-Saxon period, which began in the 5th century AD, saw the arrival of new settlers from northern Europe. The Anglo-Saxons established a number of new settlements in the Oxford area, and they also converted the local population to Christianity.

The Anglo-Saxons left behind a number of important archaeological remains, including churches, monasteries, and cemeteries. These remains provide a glimpse into the life of Anglo-Saxon Oxford, and they help us to understand the role that the city played in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex.

The Norman Conquest

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 had a significant impact on Oxford. The Normans built a new castle on the site of the Roman fort, and they also founded a new university, which later became the University of Oxford.

The Normans left behind a number of important archaeological remains, including the castle, the university buildings, and the churches of St. Peter-in-the-East and St. Mary the Virgin. These remains provide a glimpse into the life of Norman Oxford, and they help us to understand the role that the city played in the Norman kingdom of England.

The Medieval Period

The medieval period, which lasted from the 11th to the 15th centuries, was a time of great change in Oxford. The city grew rapidly, and new buildings were constructed, including colleges, churches, and hospitals. Oxford also became a major center of learning, and it was home to some of the greatest scholars of the Middle Ages.

The medieval period left behind a number of important archaeological remains, including the colleges, the churches, and the hospitals. These remains provide a glimpse into the life of medieval Oxford, and they help us to understand the role that the city played in the medieval world.

The Tudor Period

The Tudor period, which lasted from the 15th to the 17th centuries, was a time of great religious and political upheaval in England. Oxford was a major center of the Reformation, and it was home to some of the most important figures in the English Reformation, including Thomas More and John Wycliffe.

The Tudor period left behind a number of important archaeological remains, including the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera, and the Sheldonian Theatre. These remains provide a glimpse into the life of Tudor Oxford, and they help us to understand the role that the city played in the Tudor kingdom of England.

The Stuart Period

The Stuart period, which lasted from the 17th to the 18th centuries, was a time of great intellectual and artistic achievement in Oxford. The city was home to some of the greatest poets and writers of the English language, including John Milton and Alexander Pope. Oxford also became a major center of scientific research, and it was home to some of the most important scientists of the age, including Sir Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle.

The Stuart period left behind a number of important archaeological remains, including the Ashmolean Museum, the Clarendon Building, and the Sheldonian Theatre. These remains provide a glimpse into the life of Stuart Oxford, and they help us to understand the role that the city played in the Stuart kingdom of England.

Oxford has a rich and varied archaeological history. The city has been inhabited for thousands of years, and there is evidence of human activity from the earliest times. In this guide, we have taken a journey through Oxford's archaeological past, from the earliest evidence of human habitation to the end of the 17th century. We have seen how Oxford has changed over time, and we have learned about the different people who have lived in the city. Oxford's archaeological heritage is a valuable asset, and it is something that we should all be proud of.

The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide from Earliest Times to 1700 (Oxford Archaeological Guides)

by William Martin

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13180 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	576 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE