Britannia 11

TL 122068. Resurvey of ground and air-photographic evidence shows that the earthworks are much more complex and extensive than Wheeler's plan suggests. Six phases are identified from end 1st century BC to post medieval times. Phase 2, with seven sub-phases, may be a late Iron Age-RB communal pastoral system serving Verulamium. D G

Points out one minor and one more serious error; the second is a confusion about the timing of Claudius' movements.

Evidence suggests that Hyginus's manual de munitione castrorum is more likely to have been written under Domitian than under M Aurelius; this accords better with the Inchtuthil evidence for a double strength first cohort. The 2nd century epigraphic evidence for large first cohorts, which conflicts with contemporary archaeological evidence, may relate to the use of veterans to swell the regular ranks. See also B Dobson's review(Durham Univ J, 41, 1980) of A Grillone's edition of Ps Hyginus: De metatione castrorum (alternative title for the work named above) publ. Leipzig, Teubner, 1977 (£3.65, paper).

Details of structures in small excavations at the centre of Roman Gloucester include a colonnaded building (?bath house) later subdivided into smaller rooms (domestic or industrial). It was replaced by a timber building (?butcher's shop) c 370-90, finally demolished, with the Roman street eliminated. Pottery, coins, steelyard, glass etc reports. D G

SK 902531. The relief (originally from a temple or shrine?) depicts a rider (?Mars) spearing a serpent-like creature. Local (Ancaster) work?

An extensive group of kilns SE of Doncaster operated from c 135-70 (possibly earlier) to end of 4th century AD. Kiln types are discussed, also the fabric and decoration of the pottery (which included BB 1), the forms (including mortaria), and distribution (much reduced in 3rd century when E Yorkshire dominated the markets). D G

TQ 139121. Little or no structural evidence was discovered but finds indicate occupation in 6th-4th centuries BC, and again in 1st century AD for a temple of cella type (dug 1909), and refurbishing of rampart. Abandonment was in either 2nd or 4th century. A nearby cross-dyke, Roman or later, is discussed in relation to other local associations of cross-dyke and temple. The hillfort, like Highdown and Harrow Hill, was abandoned when Cissbury came into use. Pottery, coins, mollusca. D G

The inscriptions contain names of military units based in N England. Leicester may have been a redistribution centre for consignments travelling between the north and south in 2nd/early 3rd century during frontier building operations. D C

TA 0911. Describes copper alloy models of a ?gladiatorial helmet, three shields, and an axe. Shield types suggest the presence of an Iron Age shrine among the Kirmington cropmarks. D G

A harbour (now lost following sea-level changes) probably existed at Dorrator near the Agricolan and Antonine forts at Camelon; these may have acted as main supply bases for the Antonine Wall and other military campaigns, with Arthur's O'on appropriately sited above as a monument to Victory. D G