BRITANNIA

Sheldon, Harvey, Verlamio(n), Verulamium and St Albans: A Tale of Three Cities? (reviews R. Niblett and I. Thompson, Alban's Buried Towns: An Assessment of St Albans' Archaeology up to ad 1600), 370–372

REVIEWS

Birley, A., and Blake, J., Vindolanda: the Excavations of 2003–2004 (by Jeffrey L. Davies), 373

Birley, B., and Greene, E., The Roman Jewellery from Vindolanda. Research Reports, New Series Volume IV. Fascicule V: Beads, Intaglios, Finger Rings, Bracelets and Ear-rings (by Janet Webster), 374–375

Bonifay, M., Etudes sur la céramique romaine tardive d'Afrique (by Paul A. Tyers), 375–376

Bouet, A., Les thermes privés et publics en Gaule Narbonnaise (by Janet Delaine), 376–377

Bruhn, J., Croxford, B., and Grigoropoulos, D. (eds), TRAC 2004: Proceedings of the Fourteenth Annual Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference, Durham 2004 (by Ellen Swift), 377–378

Brun, J.-P. Archéologie du vin et de l'huile en Gaule romaine (by Paul R. Sealey), 378–379

Chapman, E. A Catalogue of Roman Military Equipment in the National Museum of Wales (by Nina Crummy), 379

Creighton, J., Britannia. The Creation of a Roman Province (by Miranda Aldhouse-Green), 380–381

Dando-Collins, S., Nero's Killing Machine: the True Story of Rome's Remarkable Fourteenth Legion (by Steve Malone), 381–382

Dennis, M., and Faulkner, N., The Sedgeford Hoard (by Jody Joy), 382–383

Găzdac, C., and Cociş, S., Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa. Coins from Roman Sites and Collections of Roman Coins from Romania, Vol. I (by Richard Abdy), 383–384

Glansdorp, E., Das Gräberfeld 'Margarethenstrasse' in Dillingen-Pachten: Studien zu gallo-römischen Bestattungssitten (by John Pearce), 385

Guest, P., The Late Roman Gold and Silver Coins from the Hoxne Treasure (by Richard Reece), 386–387

Hartley, E., Hawkes, J., and Henig, M. (eds), Constantine the Great: York's Roman Emperor (by Manana Odisheli), 387

Henig, M., and MacGregor, A., Catalogue of the Engraved Gems and Finger-Rings in the Ashmolean Museum. II. Roman (by Catherine Johns), 387–388

Hill, P.R., The Construction of Hadrian's Wall (by Andrew Pearson), 388–389

Hingley, R., Globalizing Roman Culture: Unity, Diversity and Empire (by Andrew Gardner), 389–390

Howell, I. (ed.), Prehistoric Landscape to Roman Villa: Excavations at Beddington, Surrey, 1981–7 (by David Rudling), 390–392

Kamm, A., The Last Frontier: The Roman Invasions of Scotland (by Rebecca H. Jones), 392–393

Fraser, J.E., The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD 84 (by Rebecca H. Jones), 392–393

Ling, R., Pompeii: History, Life and Afterlife (by A.D. Lee), 394

Malone, S.J., Legio XX Valeria Victrix. Prosopography, Archaeology and History (by William Manning), 394–395

Martens, M., and de Boe, G. (eds), Roman Mithraism: the Evidence of the Small Finds (by Martin Henig), 395–396

Mason, D.J.P., Excavations at Chester: The Roman Fortress Baths, Excavation and Recording 1732–1998 (by Paul Bidwell), 396–397

Fernández Ochoa, C., and García Díaz, P., Unidad y diversidad en el Arco Atlántico en época romana (by Louise Revell), 397–398

Soupault, V. Les éléments métalliques du costume masculin dans les provinces romaines de la mer Noire, IIIe–Ve s. ap. J.-C (by Isabelle Bertrand), 398–399

Watts, D., Boudicca's Heirs: Women in Early Britain (by H.E.M. Cool), 400–401

Witts, P., Mosaics in Roman Britain: Stories in Stone (by Verity Platt), 401–402

Yule, B., A Prestigious Roman Building Complex on the Southwark Waterfront: Excavations at Winchester Palace, 1983–90 (by Barry C. Burnham), 402–403

BRITANNIA 2007 ABSTRACTS

Jonathan Williams: New Light on Latin in Pre-Conquest Britain

Recent developments in the reading of Iron Age British coin-legends have added considerably to our knowledge of Latin in pre-conquest Britain. The picture that is now emerging is of the nuanced and sophisticated use of Latin over quite a wide area of South-Eastern England from the late first century b.c. onwards. The question that then arises is what the implications of this material are for our understanding of key developments in the culture, politics and societies of South-Eastern England in the decades before the Roman invasion. This paper argues that they are really rather significant.

Nick Holder: Mapping the Roman Inscriptions of London

This paper examines the corpus of over 500 Roman inscriptions from London by studying them as a unique category of archaeological find, one with data relating to the object, the inscription, and the find-spot. The author uses information published in the fascicules of Roman Inscriptions of Britain and in Britannia and links this data to maps of Roman London created for The Archaeology of Greater London (2000). Evidence for ‘zoning’ within Roman London is considered by comparing official and private inscriptions. Inscriptions suggesting retail activity are examined, as are the types of inscription found in London’s waterfronts, which are used to suggest different areas of specialism within London’s port. Finally, the paper looks at the inscriptions written by men and women, and by citizens and non-citizens.

Alex Mullen: Linguistic Evidence for ‘Romanization’: Continuity and Change in Romano-British Onomastics: A Study of the Epigraphic Record with Particular Reference to Bath

Based on a new online database of Celtic personal names, this research demonstrates how the study of Romano-British onomastics can shed light on the complexities of linguistic and cultural contacts, complementing archaeological material and literary sources. After an introductory section on methodology, Part One analyses naming formulae and expressions of filiation as evidence for both continuity and change dependent on social and geographical factors. Confusion and contamination between the Latin and Celtic systems proved much less common than on the Continent, where earlier contact with Roman culture and the written tradition for Continental Celtic occasionally facilitated an unusual form of syncretism. Part Two examines the naming formulae attested at Roman Bath and the mechanisms by which Celts adopted Latin names. The case-study of Bath relates continuity and change in both naming formulae and nomenclature to an acceptance of, or resistance to, ‘Romanization’ in Britain.

Roger Ling: Inscriptions on Romano-British Mosaics and Wall-Paintings

The article reviews the principal surviving examples of inscriptions on mosaic pavements and wall-paintings in Roman Britain. For some of these it makes tentative suggestions towards new readings or seeks to adjudicate between the conflicting readings of earlier commentators. The eleven inscriptions examined belong to different classes: signatures, dedications, good luck messages, labels, and literary or pseudo-literary glosses upon figure-scenes. The existence of the inscriptions implies that viewers were expected to be literate, or at least that being literate, if not actually well-educated, was socially important.

J.G.F. Hind: A. Plautius’ Campaign in Britain — An Alternative Reading of the Narrative in Cassius Dio (60.19.5–21.2)

Three aspects of Cassius Dio’s account of the Claudian invasion of Britain are discussed. First, the convention, by which ancient historians routinely introduced their detailed narrative of military campaigns with a summary, allows the two first battles in the sequence to be eliminated as separate events. Secondly, the kings, Togodumnus in Cassius Dio and Cogidumnus in Tacitus’ Agricola, are taken to be the same individual, who after defeat was reconciled to be Claudius’ client-ruler. Thirdly, the argument is restated that the invasion took place through the harbours of West Sussex on a route suggested by the description given by Dio and by the evidence of place-names, known from the Geography of Ptolemy and the Antonine Itinerary.

Malcolm Todd: Roman Military Occupation at Hembury (Devon),

The large hillfort at Hembury, near Honiton (Devon) is one of the most impressive late prehistoric sites in South-West England. Occupied in the Neolithic and Iron Age, it was taken over by a Roman force about or shortly before A.D. 50. Substantial timber buildings were constructed, including a probable fabrica, in which iron from the adjacent Blackdown hills was worked. The Roman site was abandoned by the early Flavian period and not reoccupied. Though not evidently a conventional fort, Hembury joins a list of hillforts in South-West England which were used by the Roman army in the early decades of conquest. These include Hod Hill and possibly Maiden Castle (Dorset), Ham Hill and South Cadbury (Somerset).

Tim Neighbour: A Semi-Elliptical, Timber-Framed Structure at Inveresk (the Most Northerly Amphitheatre in the Empire?)

Excavation carried out prior to the development of Park Lane Hospital, Musselburgh revealed the partial remains of a probable ring-groove house of first millennium b.c. date and a later sub-rectangular, post-built structure attached to a curving fence line. Although initially interpreted as a Roman granary, it now seems likely that the features were the partial remains of a timber amphitheatre associated with Roman Inveresk. Ditches and a number of negative features of unknown date and function were also recorded.

Alison Locker: In piscibus diversis; the Bone Evidence for Fish Consumption in Roman Britain

Fish bone assemblages from 109 sites were analysed for evidence of Roman influence on fish consumption. Temporal divisions within the period were not informative, but sites were divided by region. Secondary evidence, including amphorae and fishing tackle, was also considered. Eel was most common overall but some species were regionally important, e.g. salmon. Towns and villas showed the greatest range of fish, from freshwater and inland marine fisheries and also imported salted fish and fish-sauce. Native sites continued to show restricted fish consumption from very local sources, while Roman sites suggested an increase in variety and some evidence for status, which may result from cultural change in culinary practices.

Marijke van der Veen, Alexandra Livarda and Alistair Hill: The Archaeobotany of Roman Britain: Current State and Identification of Research Priorities

The archaeobotanical record of Britain in the Roman period is reviewed. The data are plotted against area of the country, phase of occupation, type of site, and mode of preservation. Lacunae in the dataset are identified and research priorities formulated. More data are needed, especially from South-Western and North-Western England, Wales and Scotland, from major towns (especially from waterlogged deposits), from rural sites with waterlogged preservation (all parts of the country), and from burials and temple/shrine sites. Matters of concern are the identification of a downward trend in the average number of samples analysed from the 1990s onwards, and poor access to unpublished archaeobotanical reports (grey literature). Possible solutions to redress these are offered.

Kris Lockyear: Where Do We Go From Here? Recording and Analysing Roman Coins from Archaeological Excavations

The publication of English Heritage’s guidelines for the analysis and publication of coins from excavations has not met with acceptance by the relevant specialists. This paper takes the opportunity to look back over what we have been doing, consider what the guidelines suggest, and makes recommendations as to where we could be going. In particular it argues that we should be making more of existing database technologies and the internet, and that the analysis of coins should be integrated with other aspects of the archaeological record. The paper is not a new set of guidelines, but is intended to stimulate debate.

Nina Crummy: Brooches and the Cult of Mercury

The attributes of Mercury include his purse and winged sandals and one of his animal companions is the cockerel. Purse brooches are few in number, but shoe sole and cockerel brooches occur at Temple 10 at Colchester, a centre of the god’s cult, and at other temples, and both also occur in graves, reflecting Mercury’s role as the guide of dead souls. Fly brooches have been found at both Temple 10 and Uley, also a centre for Mercury worship, and in a grave, and may be a fourth type associated with the god.

Louise Revell: Military Bath-houses in Britain — a Comment

Bath-houses are a frequent part of Roman military installations in Britain. This work explores differences in the social meaning of bathing between legionary fortresses and auxiliary forts. It demonstrates variations in the scale of and investment in these facilities between the two groups. It also argues for greater complexity in the legionary bath-houses, with duplication of facilities, and more activities being catered for. A comparison of the proportion of space allocated for bathing and non-bathing activities reveals that the two groups respond to different ideas of what a visit to the bath-house entailed.

M.P. Speidel: The Missing Weapons at Carlisle

New interpretations are suggested for two terms in Docilis’ letter found on a wooden tablet from Carlisle and published in Britannia 29 (1998), 34–84, no. 16 (= AE 1998, 839). Lanciarius does not refer to all the horsemen of ala I Gallorum, but only to those equipped with lancea-spears and subarmales are not weapons but felt-padded, rainproof doublets worn under the armour.