Following on from his exploration of the role of water transport in the west of Britain, James Ellis Jones here broadens his scope to provide a synthesis of archaeological work on the maritime and riverine landscape and its full range of roles across the province of Britannia. After surveying the coastal landscape and the boats and ships in use during the Roman period, Jones first explores the military role of the sea, in supplying the army and for naval and amphibious operations. He then analyses the importance of sea and riverine transport for trade, both internal and in terms of imports and exports. A gazetteer of prominent coastal sites completes the volume.

This is a study of the maritime dimension of transport, to and from the military installations and civilian settlements of the coasts and rivers of the west of Britain, where water was used as the means of conveyance of military and commercial traffic during the Romano-British period. The study gathers together the various strands of evidence and, through systematic analysis, argues that the seas and rivers were a major factor in the Roman supply system and that, whilst the Roman system of roads has received much attention, insufficient consideration has been paid to the role of water transport.