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Hadrians WallEmbodied archaeologies of the linear monumentDepartment of Archaeology, University of Durham, UK, claire.nesbitt{at}durham.ac.uk
Department of Geography, University of Durham, UK, divya.tolia-kelly{at}durham.ac.uk The aim of this article is to consider the value of an embodied account of Hadrians Wall. This heritage site has often been understood in predominantly imperial and military terms. While this is a crucial aspect of the historical meanings of the monument, there has been little focus on factors such as changing social role, socialities produced through its presence, and perceptions of the Wall evident in historical accounts. Drawing on theoretical approaches in archaeology, geography and anthropology, this article investigates the potential for enriching archaeological knowledge through these approaches. We focus on accounts of some early visitors to the Wall to consider movement on, and encounter with, the Wall through an embodied account. This account seeks to enrich our archaeological history by being attentive to the power of the material landscape on the senses of being and feeling of those that encounter it. The experience of the Wall is made intelligible through a body-centred account.
Key Words: affect archaeology biography experience geography Hadrians Wall landscape materiality phenomenology pilgrimage
Journal of Social Archaeology, Vol. 9, No. 3,
368-390 (2009) |
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