Rackham - Marshes, Fens, Rivers, and the sea
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• Classical example of how written sources led historians down wrong path.
• Literary story of fens – fen life copied down and elaborated by outsiders with disdain – web footed, independent – rescued from indolence by progressive Dutch who drained Fens and turned them into rich farmland.
• Looking at sources different story – great Fenland churches March, Whittlesey – great Abbeys at Peterborugh, Ely. King’s Lynn, Wisbech, Boton – medieval towns. Real heyday Fens was in12 and 13^th centuries – away from political upheavals- civilised prosperity and could afford splendid architecture.
• Actually three periods when Fens were drained – Dutch third draining, second draining 1250 (difficult to see from literary sources, deteced from archaeology) and Roman or first draining – engineering miracle. From aerial photography.
• Romans 90 mile fen drainage system – Car Dyke, Bottisham Lode.

Other Notes in this Category

1. Archaeology of the Roman Economy
2. Conclusions about Archaeology
3. Environmental Archaeology
4. Models of the Roman Economy
5. Rackham - Marshes, Fens, Rivers, and the sea
6. Studying the Landscape

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