tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357316514436369105.post1739271360604817498..comments2024-03-11T15:40:37.015+00:00Comments on Theoretical Structural Archaeology: Ramparts and Ditches - the Roman Killing ZoneGeoff Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01111820035762957610noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357316514436369105.post-12720223681135903152014-02-24T23:05:05.345+00:002014-02-24T23:05:05.345+00:00It is "military engineering", carefully ...It is "military engineering", carefully thought out, but adaptable to conditions [e.g. soil]; in this case it is about killing at distance, by maintaining a height advantage. I am working on trying to understand, the underlying construction method, which I suspect was standardised. <br />I think every effort was made to inconvenience the attacker, cutting a slot at bottom of the ditch adds to the effect; just as throwing a javelin without a run up or from a slope makes it difficult. <br />Geoff Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01111820035762957610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357316514436369105.post-42155133462700995402014-02-24T22:04:08.795+00:002014-02-24T22:04:08.795+00:00"it also makes them more perpendicular and ea...<i>"it also makes them more perpendicular and easier to push over."</i><br />Aha, gotcher boss. So that would indicate that (1) ditch geometry and (2) berm width might be a exact science, to the legionaries?<br />I must go back and have a butcher's at some of those v-section ones with alleged "ankle-breakers" in the bottom.dustbubblenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357316514436369105.post-69773735157202625342014-02-21T01:33:13.758+00:002014-02-21T01:33:13.758+00:00Well, as I understand it; 1]it prevents from climb...Well, as I understand it; 1]it prevents from climbing up the face of the rampart - as they cannot climb round the them, like the inclined top of a security fence.<br />2] it keeps any siege ladders away from the breastwork giving the defenders more room to work; it also makes them more perpendicular and easier to push over.<br />3] It is not very well realized in the model; random things are very hard to create!<br /><br />NB. As Sarah is based on a real person, I resisted having a projectile hit her directly, as this would be in poor taste.Geoff Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01111820035762957610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357316514436369105.post-49185879522577787282014-02-21T01:17:49.659+00:002014-02-21T01:17:49.659+00:00Oh dearie me, that was "dustbubble"Oh dearie me, that was "dustbubble"definitely dustbubblenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357316514436369105.post-14293867699348124452014-02-21T01:16:28.040+00:002014-02-21T01:16:28.040+00:00Well I'm lovin' Sarah as an insurgent, Geo...Well I'm lovin' Sarah as an insurgent, Geoff. Looks like a young Bill Hansen.<br /><br />But what is the deal with the "stag-horn" pediment below the hurdling/breastworks? How does that not provide purchase for scaling ladders/tree-trunks, and even assist in improvised items of that nature not slipping sideways (says an old fool who's removed hisself involuntarily from a few too many roofs in his time)? I mean it's in the books, must be true, but it looks mental.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com