| Abstract: |
The preface to this volume of papers given at a conference in 1975 contains a critique by R M Reece of the way that historical and archaeological evidence are mixed together when they should be kept separate. Barry Cunliffe's paper (1-6) summarizing the problems calls for a much more rigorous approach to excavation, analysis and publication. M W C Hassall (7-10) discusses the historical background, principally the Notitia Dignitatum, and the problems of identifying units and forts on both sides of the Channel. J C Mann's contribution (11-15) is on the military organization of duces and comites in the 4th century, plus a note on the Reculver inscription. The Classis Britannica is treated by Henry Cleere (16-19) from its beginnings in AD 40 or 43, through its iron-producing activities in the Weald, to its disappearance from the record in mid-3rd century. There follow papers on the detailed archaeological evidence: Dover (Brian Philp), Brancaster (D A Edwards and C J S Green), Lympne (Barry Cunliffe), the Channel Isles (David Johnston), Boulogne and coastal defences in 4th-5th centuries (C Seillier), Alet (Loïc Langouët), Brest (René Sanquer) and Oudenburg (J Mertens). The interpretation of the term 'Saxon Shore' is discussed by Stephen Johnson (63-9), and the evidence for religious missions in the shore forts is Stuart Rigold's subject (70-75). The absence of informative inscriptions from the shore forts is taken by J J Wilkes (76-80) as significant and possibly providing a date of AD 260-96 for the system. |
