Cultural Transformations in Germania Secunda

Berber S. van der Meulen-van der Veen acquired her BA and MA in Archaeology at Leiden University and the University of Amsterdam in 2014 and 2017 respectively. From 2018-2023, she carried out her AHRC-funded PhD research at Cardiff University and the University of Reading into the archaeology of the Late Roman Lower Rhine frontier. She currently works as a lecturer in historical archaeology at the University of Amsterdam and sits on the editorial board of the Historical Metallurgy Journal.

‘This volume contains an impressive, detailed and compelling analysis of the archaeological evidence recovered so far in the Roman province of Germania Secunda, clarifying dynamic processes of cultural change over four centuries of time. Its “holistic” approach is admirable, but could perhaps more generously have folded into its comprehensive ambition what can be surmised of this period and its aftermath from the linguistic and historical records as well, at least to provide a clearer context for its processual conclusions. Even so, the author’s cautious attitude is well-taken as a fruitful corrective to some long-standing assumptions which now will require further assessment and refinement in response.’ - Craig R. Davis (2026): Bryn Mawr Classical Review

• Chapter 1: Introduction and literature review Migration (theory) in (Late Roman) archaeologyApproaches to non-Roman identities in Late Roman archaeologyDiscussion and thesis themesResearch objectives and thesis structure Chapter 2: Migrant communities in rural settlements in Germania Secunda Settlement (dis)contuinuitySunken feature buildings (SFB)Rye cultivation/consumptionHandmade potteryHouse architectureDiscussion Chapter 3: Spatial and chronological distribution of civilian dress accessories Late 3rd-4th century brooches and hairpins4th-5th century brooches5th century brooches and hairpinsDiscussion Chapter 4: Spatial and chronological distribution of military dress accessories Crossbow broochesThe Late Roman military beltDistribution and depositionDepositional practices: ‘belt graves’Decoration on beltsSocial connotationsDiscussion Chapter 5: Methodology for pXRF and dimensional measurements Literature reviewSet-up and reviewLate Roman copper alloys and the possibility of recyclingSampling strategy and object choiceMethods for presenting data Chapter 6: Shape of the pXRF dataset The composition of the datasetDecorative surface treatmentsA chronological perspectiveA first comparison between military and civilian alloys Chapter 7: Compositional patterns of production in copper-alloy dress accessories Military dress ornamentsCoefficient of variation: dimensionsA comparison with contemporary civilian dress accessoriesA brief look towards the northConclusion Chapter 8: ConclusionAppendicesAppendix 1. Inventory of long and short houses from Late Roman settlements in Germania SecundaAppendix 2. Inventory of sunken feature buildings (SFB) from Late Roman settlements in Germania Magna and Germania SecundaDigital AppendicesAppendix 3. Inventory of Late Roman civilian-associated dress accessories from Germania Magna and Germania SecundaAppendix 4. Inventory of Late Roman military-associated dress accessories from Germania Magna and Germania SecundaAppendix 5. pXRF dataset on Late Roman copper-alloy dress accessories from Germania Magna and Germania SecundaAppendix 6. Dataset of object dimensions of Late Roman copper-alloy dress accessories from Germania Magna and Germania SecundaPlatesBibliography Classical sourcesReferences