Britannia 41

Discusses assemblages found in several infant burials, suggesting that these can be interpreted as representing guardians placed in the burials to protect the child in the underworld. Au/PP-B

A revised dating is proposed for legionary stamped tile in Britain, and suggests that contractors appear to have played a significant part in tile production for at least two of the legions

Uses an account from the Vindolanda tablets in which a price for iron is recorded, to explore some of the economic characteristics of the metal during the first and second centuries A.D. in Britain. The inherent difficulties in employing evidence of this kind are examined before looking at the price information from the rest of the Vindolanda tablets to assess the value of iron relative to other commodities at the fort. The value of the metal is then examined compared with that of labour, thus illuminating the potential economic opportunities that became available to iron producers following the establishment of Roman rule in Britain.

A review of epigraphic, numismatic and historical sources examines the episode of the war of Commodus in Britain. The relationship of this event to the present interpretation of the later campaign of Severus is discussed. Current views of the occupation of Hadrian's Wall are examined in the light of Commodus' policy in Britain.

The consular dated memorial of a military accountant (scrinarius) of A.D. 404 with a chi-rho monogram from Bavai (France, Nord), previously thought to be a forgery, is reconsidered. Geographically close to Britain and well-dated, it is relevant to the origins of post-Roman insular epigraphy and to the possibility of recognising specifically Christian tombstones in Roman Britain. The insular series derives from a late antique tradition introduced to Britain via the Christian Church at an uncertain date. There is little sign of continuity with claimed Romano-British Christian tombstones, but an early phase of the insular series can be recognised. Literacy and perhaps the 'epigraphic habit' survived in other media.

In 1991 part of a mosaic floor depicting Bellerophon slaying the Chimaera was exposed on land belonging to the Rowler Estate at Croughton, Northants. The pavement was photographed and reburied and the site subsequently assessed by English Heritage prior to scheduling in 1995. During the course of investigation, geophysical survey and trial-trenching established that the mosaic had been laid in a stone-built house, which was part of a more extensive settlement first occupied in the late second century. In 1998 the Rowler Estate changed hands and the potential to place the mosaic on display beneath a cover building was discussed by the new owner with English Heritage. In 2002 proposals to create a cover building were accepted in principle as the basis for a Scheduled Monument Consent application. As a result the Bellerophon pavement was fully excavated, together with an adjacent area to identify possible locations for stanchions and building foundations, where estate staff also believed a second mosaic had been discovered during the 1990s. The excavations indeed revealed the fragmentary remains of a second, probably figured pavement

An excavation by Channel 4's Time Team in the Roman town of Caerwent (Venta Silurum) in 2008 produced a highly decorated ivory handle of a clasp-knife. The object was found in Insula XIV in redeposited demolition layers and cannot, therefore, be closely dated. The handle depicts two fighting gladiators.

Describes the vessel and discusses provenance. PP-B

Gives a brief overview of finds distribution and explores the distribution of the Bow and Fantail brooch as a case-study in the research potential of PAS data. As in previous years, descriptions of significant individual artefacts recorded by the Finds Liaison Officers then follow.