Britannia 24

Re-interprets a piece hitherto viewed as depicting water nymphs or an unknown religious cult. Evidence is cited which points instead to a version of the birth of Helen of Troy and the Dioscuri. Thought to have been part of a tomb, this representation of a Classical myth may be further indication of the spread of Classical culture in Roman Britain.

Reports the results of excavation work prior to re-development of the site. Six phases of occupation running from the late first to the mid-fourth century AD were isolated, including an unexpected Phase II temporary structure occurring between the original timber buildings and the Phase III stone reconstructions. It is thought that such intermediate structures may indicate forts being subject to longer term planning schedules than previously thought, with the construction of timber buildings as a necessary and intentionally temporary phase before the stone construction. There are specialist reports covering `Tree-ring analysis of timbers, Phase I-IIIa' by J Hillam (47--8), `The coins' by Edward Besly (86), The samian ware' by B M Dickinson (87--98), `Objects of copper alloy' by Susan A Fox (106--14), `The animal bone' by S Hamilton-Dyer (132--6), `Plant remains' by A E Caseldine & P A Busby (136--8). There are also sections dealing with the glass, objects of iron and lead, objects of bone, leather, miscellaneous artefacts including writing equipment and Kimmeridge shale objects, crucibles, brick and tile (some stamped), and finally `Appendix I: a summary of the finds' (138--40) and `Appendix II: a monumental entrance to the Principia' (140).

Following the relatively recent discovery of the castra, work in the area surrounding Osmanthorpe in the Greet Valley is documented and re-assessed. `Recent fieldwork in the Greet Valley' by J Roy (159--64) includes details of cropmarks, earthworks, Southwell villa, a Romano-British marching camp at Farnsfield, evidence for a possible Roman road, and supporting Roman material gathered during the course of fieldwalking. The site of the castra at Osmanthorpe is described including relevant aerial photographs, chance finds, fieldwalking evidence, and excavations during 1984. The nature of what can be termed a vexillation fortress is discussed, and parallels with a similar site at Longthorpe are noted. Whilst it is thought reasonable to interpret the site as a sizable pre-Flavian (probably Neronian) military installation, further work would be required to elucidate its layout and speculate on its politico-strategic significance. The pottery is detailed and the absence of Lyons ware is noted, although investigation of a broader area could yet bring it to light. There are also appendices detailing `The coins' by C P Barclay (180--1), `The 'patera' handle' by M C Bishop & P W M Freeman (181), `Brooches from the vicinity of Osmanthorpe' by D F Mackreth (182--7), and `Geophysical survey and excavation of the Roman castra at Newton-on-Trent, Lincs' by M C Bishop & P W M Freeman (187--9).

Explores the possibility that the Saxon Shore forts were in fact trans-shipment centres.

Aerial survey located cropmarks indicating a Roman fort. Situated away from the nearest road routes and built facing the River Aire, it is thought to have been intended for the control of river traffic.

Presents a re-assessment of the development of Gelligaer. Excavations in 1899--1901 produced an apparently complete plan which was subsequently used as a point of reference in discussions concerning the feasibility of identifying the type of unit in garrison. It is proposed that the original excavations identified only the latest stage of development and that further work would be needed to elucidate earlier phases.

Considers the spread of these two pottery types using Reilly's equation for the distributive `breaking point' between marketing centres. IH

A report describing two spoons of a commonly found late fourth-century type, and whose discovery adds another location to the distribution map of such finds. They may constitute a small hoard.