Medieval Archaeology 15

An assessment of the collective meaning of material remains, often individually discussed, suggests that Roman Britain made no significant contribution to the rise of insular Christianity. Memoriae or martyria, well known from Continental examples, existed in Britain (written evidence), and the structures at Silchester, Caerwent, Lullingstone and Stone-by-Faversham can be interpreted as memoriae. Churches must have existed but may be indistinguishable from houses. The distribution, epigraphy and formulae of memorial stones suggest an insular development influenced by Continental practice. If there is a Romano-British contribution it is a limited technological one, not from Roman tombstones but from milestones in the western frontier zone. The distribution in Roman Britain of imported late Roman Argonne ware contrasts strongly with the western distribution of imported A and B wares which, like memorial stones, reflect western seaborne connections. A H

"The main impression of Danish York is of a somewhat damp and dirty town with thriving industries". Recorded deposits are analysed under the headings of building remains, environmental remains, food, and commercial activity. The Danish defences incorporated some of the Roman works and probably extended around a new commercial area centred on Ousegate. Many structural and other remains indicate a closely built-up area more or less on the modern street plan. There were traces of tannery-pits and other industrial buildings (on piles in damp ground) and of domestic buildings. Many organic remains show the variety of plant and animal foods in the diet; red deer was especially important. There was quantity production of luxuries and necessities - metalwork, leather goods, cloth, woodwork and bone objects (for example skates); but pottery is noticeably non-local.

Preliminary report of work since 1967 which has revealed large quantities of structural and artefactual evidence, at last demonstrating archaeologically the international importance of Dublin long known from literary references. A selection of objects of bone, bronze, wood and soapstone is illustrated, with Borre, Jellinge and Ringerike styles in evidence. In High Street was the 12th-13th century industrial quarter-leather-workers, comb-makers and metal-workers - with house-walls of wattle and weatherboard. At Winetavern Street stratified levels of 9th-13th centuries contain evidence for wood-workers and coopers; one 13th century pit had complex timber framing. Evidence of diet has also been recovered. See also medieval tokens from Dublin, abstract 73/1986.