Abstract/Summary

The publication of the RurLand project (Rural Landscape in North-East Gaul) has provided an opportunity to compare methodologies and results with those of The Rural Settlement of Roman Britain Project. Two themes, which draw out the asymmetrical development of settlement in the two regions, are examined: the very different impacts of the Roman Conquest of Gaul and of Britain on settlement numbers and settlement continuity, and the development of the agricultural economy and its relationship with the frontiers of Britain and Germany, as reflected in the growth and decline of villa estates in Britain and Gaul.