Our interpretation of the Roman presence in south east Scotland should make use of and ensure relevance to wider theoretical perspectives that have been utilised within archaeology, both of the Roman period and in general. ScARF Roman Chapter drew particular attention to the potential value of approaches to identity in understanding the relationship between the Romans and the indigenous Iron Age community (ScARF 2012, 53–56) and this remains extremely relevant. Identities, however, can be malleable, contextual and multiple so nuanced approaches are needed and might be extended to ideas around embodiment and personhood. Further perspectives which may prove helpful include but are not limited to:
- Challenges to simplistic models of colonial relationships, influenced by 19th century (Bradley 2010). There are a wide range of alternative approaches, drawing on post-colonial theory in various ways that may be productive (eg Rifkin 2017; Gardner 2013; Versluys 2014; Silliman 2020 provides a useful synthesis).
- Wider approaches to issues around boundaries, territoriality ‘borderscapes’ and frontiers (e.g. Parker 2006; Nail 2016; VanValkenburgh and Osborne 2012; Gardner 2022; Mihajlović 2023). Approaches drawing on concepts such as ‘edgelands’ may also be appropriate during some periods (eg González-Ruibal 2021).
- Contrasts in how the material world was constituted between Romans and natives might draw on approaches used in New Materialism (eg Malafouris 2013; Mol 2023; see also Fernández-Götz et al 2020), object itineraries (Joyce 2015; Bauer 2019) and assemblage theory (Harris 2021; Knutson 2021).
- Analysis drawing on emerging approaches to Conflict Archaeology (Fernández-Götz and Roymans 2017).
- Control and resistance (Given 2004; Hauser 2022).