| Abstract: |
Presents a majority of papers given at the conference held in 1992 at Leicester, along with some additional contributions. The volume is introduced in a preface entitled `Roman small towns, medieval small towns and markets' by A E Brown (1--6) -- this considers the characterisation the `small town' in both periods, with particular reference to Northamptonshire. `Small towns: the British perspective', by Barry C Burnham (7--17), is a general review of previous work that highlights some future research priorities. `The aerial view', by D R Wilson (19--28), looks at the contribution of areal survey. `Strategies for Roman small towns', by Martin Millett (29--37), considers ideas for future research aimed at elucidating the roles of small town sites in Roman Britain. `Surveying small towns: the Romano-British roadside settlement at Shiptonthorpe, East Yorkshire', by Jeremy Taylor (39--52), reports on a research project assessing the value of various surface analysis techniques for studying the morphology and chronological development of small town sites. `Small towns and villages of Roman Norfolk: the evidence of surface metal-detector finds' is considered by David Gurney (53--67). `A hole in the distribution map: the characteristics of small towns in Suffolk', by Judith Plouviez (69--80), discusses settlement hierarchy and the definition of small towns in a county that appears to lack such sites (according to published distribution maps). `Roman small towns in Leicestershire' are discussed by Peter Liddle (81--94). `Some Roman small towns in north Lincolnshire and South Humberside', by Ben Whitwell (95--102), examines sites at Owmby, Hibaldstow, Winteringham, and Kirmington. `When is a town not a town? “Small towns” on the Nene and Welland in their context', by Frances Condron (103--18), looks at the economic basis of towns and the nature of Romanisation in the Durobrivae, Ashton, and Great Casterton area. `Kelvedon and the fort myth in the development of Roman small towns in Essex', by Michael Eddy (119--28), examines the now rejected hypothesis that a fort existed at the settlement and considers the general patterns of settlement and fort building in Essex and London. `New thoughts on town defences in the western territory of the Catuvellauni', by Charmian Woodfield (129--46), suggests that the apparently anomalous defended roadside settlement at Towcester (Northamptonshire) actually represents a relatively common phenomenon in the region. `Durobrivae, Chesterton, Cambridgeshire', by D F Mackreth (147--55), summarises what is known about the town. The results of many years excavations at `Sapperton' (Lincolnshire) are summarised by Brian Simmons (157--65). Roman settlement in and around `Sandy' (Bedfordshire) is discussed by Michael Dawson (167--76). `The plan of Romano-British Baldock, Hertfordshire' is described by Gilbert Burleigh (177--82). Comparative European evidence is then examined in `Secondary urban centres in Gaul', by Anthony King (183--92), and `Small towns of the Ubii and Cugerni/Baetasii Civitates (Lower Germany)', by Michael Gechter (193--203). A concluding overview is provided in `Small towns: then, now -- and then?', by John Wacher (205--8). |
