Britannia 34

A review of the evidence concerning the Roman camps and other fortifications at Burnswark and theories concerning a possible siege of the hill. The author presents the arguments which have been put forward with respect to the various archaeological features in the light of Roman military practices elsewhere, and analyses their viability, concluding that the remains are more likely to be those of a genuine siege than of a training exercise.

Description of, and commentary on, the text of a late-first-century AD stilus-tablet found during excavation at 1 Poultry in the City of London in 1994. The text, which is transcribed and translated, is part of the deed of sale of a female slave, Fortunata. The purchaser, Vegetus, an imperial slave and Roman official, is discussed along with details of the transaction and comparable data from texts found elsewhere.

An exploration of continuity and change at the site of an early Romano-British villa-house situated within an Iron Age enclosure. The Late Bronze Age and Iron Age features of the site are considered and the villa-house remains are described in detail. The location of features from each phase of occupation indicated awareness and incorporation of earlier features. The Romano-British remains and possible socio-economic models are considered in relation to the evidence of contemporaneous settlements and agricultural activity in the area, and the authors look at the strategic choices involved in balancing links with both old and new.

An examination of the iconography of the fourth-century mosaics, as recorded by Samuel Lysons, considers the juxtaposition of Christian and Pagan elements in relation to the intellectual context and symbolism of the period. Referring to Gnostic and Orphic worship, the author argues that the images describe a quest, based in dualistic belief, for victory of the soul over death. This quest is illustrated in the three separate sections of the main room. The other parts of the house, so far as they are known, are also considered with reference to Gnostic ritual, in particular to baptism and the bridal chamber. Comparisons are made with the iconography of mosaics at Lullingstone, Cirencester, Hinton St Mary and elsewhere, and of silver and pewter vessels of the period, and the historical context of religious belief and philosophy is described.

Analysis of the lithology, typology and chronology of a collection of seventy-nine rotary querns. The reasons for changes in the sources of stone are considered, as well as the implications for the organisation of food supply. The author also looks at the case for, and contexts of, deliberate deposition of complete quern stones. Includes

Report of the survey, sampling and limited excavation of a multi-period settlement site, focussing on the substantial evidence from the Late Iron Age and Roman periods. Material collected informally at the site prior to the survey is also incorporated. Features included the remains of a substantial Roman aisled stone building; pits containing Iron Age wares; post-holes, and several boundary ditches. Charred cereal grains and waste were present in environmental samples but not in any large quantity; however the remains of wetland plants and freshwater molluscs indicated the presence of standing water in the area. Pollen samples indicated grassland and open ground, but there was no evidence of arable activity. Although cow, sheep and a small quantity of pig bones were found, most bone was unattributable to a firmly dated context. The site's significance in relation to that of Stonea nearby; Icenian and other Late Iron Age influences; possible military or trade connections during the early Roman period; and its place in the Roman landscape are considered. Reports include:

description of seventeen silver and copper-alloy coins found at or near the site, most of which were identified as Iceni or Trinovantes/Catuvellauni. The seven recovered during the investigations are described in detail

examination of pottery from the main excavation area and test stations revealed a large assemblage of wheel-made Late Iron Age tradition pottery; parts of five Butt Beakers; and an `Icenian' rusticated jar

a total of fifty-seven brooches, from the investigations and from metal-detecting in the vicinity of the site, are described

descriptions include twenty-three copper-alloy items, including dress accessories and a key; copper-alloy casting debris; five iron and seven lead items of Roman attribution, including another key; and four items from Chatteris Museum found in the area

Discussion on the significance of certain dates for the Imperial family in relation to campaigns in Britain and elsewhere, as revealed by the accounts of a temple at Arsinoe, Egypt.

Description of a small, possibly amuletic, pendant found at Braintree, Essex.

Description and discussion of seven inscriptions from locations across the Roman Empire relating to cult dedications associated with the conquest of Britain in AD 43.

Presents notes on fieldwork projects undertaken at Roman sites around the country during 2002. Sites are listed by region, then alphabetically by county (or unitary authority). Also features a report on Roman inscriptions recovered in Britain.