n.a. (1978). Collectanea Londiniensia: studies in London archaeology and history presented to Ralph Merrifield.

Records the frustrations and gross underfunding of what passed for the City of London's archaeological staffing from 1949 to 1956, the period of the first flush of postwar reconstruction.

Comments on salient points raised in recent publications on the archaeology of Greater London, drawing attention to the special richness for archaeology of river valley deposits in general and the Thames Valley in particular. No opportunities for exploring these should be lost, since several major problems need solution.

Scheers has shown that Gallo-Belgic E and its successor coinages mirror the Belgic struggle against Caesar in 58-50 BC; the coins were used to pay for the help of SE British tribes. The Gallo-Belgic B distribution centres on the Thames a little to the west of London, whence also come quantities of fine metalwork and of potin coins, giving rise to suspicions of a pre-Caesarian oppidum in the area (ending about 60 BC). See also 79/5894.

Traces the stages by which the Forum was recognized. Although a military beginning for London remains a possibility, a civil trading settlement of about 50 AD at the tidal limit is equally possible. The building sequence proposed by Merrifield for the Forum site still largely holds good; the Boudican fire and the establishment of the first and second fora and basilicae are discussed in detail. Some corrections to Philp's dating and plans have become necessary.

Catalogues forty figured and/or inscribed plaques, all provincial work from NW Europe but within the classical tradition. Found either in temples or in caches, and nearly all made of silver or silver gilt, they are clearly votive in intent; apart from the Water Newton examples all are pagan. Dating: 2nd-3rd centuries.

Three vessels were found in 1955: a glass flask of Isings form 104b (not of oriental origin, as Morin-Jean suggests, but a characteristic western type); and two flagons of Hadham Ware. The group could date to 3rd century, a period rather poorly understood at present in London.

Discusses the adventus coins of Constantine the Great produced at the London mint between AD 307 and AD 314 in the context of the literary and epigraphic sources. It is suggested that the three issues of the adventus type coincided with actual visits by Constantine to Britain in 307, 312, and 314. C E K for Numis Lit

Two grants of property made by King Alfred in 889 and 898-9 respectively are examined for their content, authenticity and interrelationship, and close attention given to their topographical details. It is concluded, from analysis of the personalities and politics involved, that the documents form part of the evidence for Alfred's restoration of London (and indeed of England).

Some ninety pilgrim signs connected with Henry VI are catalogued and discussed; half of them have been found by Thames foreshore searchers since 1973. The badges are important confirmation of the reality of the pilgrimage to Henry's tomb at Windsor which, for some thirty years, rivalled the Canterbury shrine in popularity. The badges are mostly found at river crossings, apparently because it was the practice to 'offer' a badge to the river while keeping another to wear in the hat. Appended is a consideration of the significance of the Bankside finds for the pilgrims' route.

Among a list of tobacco pipe exporters to the Hudson's Bay Company it is possible to isolate some London makers who also had insurance policies with the Sun Company, and to identify some of their products from dated deposits in London. An attempt has also been made to trace the products of some other London makers. Some degree of evolution of bowl typology has been observed and some light thrown on the workplaces. Au(abr)