Wine, Roman imports and culture contact in late Iron Age Europe

This thesis investigates the alcohol consumption habits of the inhabitants of Late Iron Age northern and western Europe, focusing on three case studies that ask questions about the adoption and rejection of Mediterranean wine and associated accoutrements by indigenous groups. Its aims and approach draw upon themes inherent in Late Iron Age studies, including culture contact between temperate European groups and Mediterranean civilizations, the increase of sociopolitical complexity in certain areas during this period, and feasting and consumption habits.Alcohol consumption habits provide students of history, archaeology, andanthropology with a medium that allows them to investigate a range of cultural and socialphenomena. This thesis investigates the alcohol consumption habits of the inhabitants of LateIron Age northern and western Europe, focusing on three case studies that ask questions aboutthe adoption and rejection of Mediterranean wine and associated accoutrements by indigenousgroups. Its aims and approach draw upon themes inherent in Late Iron Age studies, includingculture contact between temperate European groups and Mediterranean civilizations, theincrease of sociopolitical complexity in certain areas during this period, and feasting andconsumption habits. Archaeological and anthropological models relevant to the selectiveadoption of foreign influences and material culture, particularly alcohol consumption habits,that have been developed over the past twenty-five years are discussed and utilized as a basisfor the research undertaken. The conclusions reached suggest that the selective adoption andrejection of wine and Mediterranean feasting gear among the groups identified here wasclosely linked to local political economies and existing modes of social discourse.