This exciting volume pays tribute to the work of the archaeologist Harvey Sheldon, who has been involved in the archaeology of London for over four decades. The papers, written by his friends and colleagues in the archaeological community, cover a wide range of subjects connected with the archaeology of Roman London. These are presented under four main themes and are prefaced by a short introduction explaining how they relate to the research framework document for London published in 2002. The volume begins with a section on the chronology and cartography of Roman London, including papers on antiquarian sources, estimates of population, and the city after the departure of the Romans. The second section examines the landscape and environment of Roman London and its hinterland, drawing from a variety of disciplines: subjects covered include the evidence for Roman gardens; the route of the road from London to Colchester; and a gazetteer of tree-ring dates for Roman London. The third part of the book examines themes which are more difficult to identify through the archaeological record, such as education, cults and attitudes to death and burial. In the fourth section of the volume, the rich material culture of Roman London is examined through a series of papers on artefacts, including brooches, inkwells and toilet implements. The book concludes with a review of Harvey Sheldon's work and a bibliography.

Six multi-period archaeological sites investigated in advance of gravel extraction in the London Borough of Havering between 1963 and 1997 form the basis of a landscape history of the Rainham and Upminster area. Residual Mesolithic finds from the study area include an adze. The first significant activity locally was an Early Neolithic ring ditch, which remained in use for about a millennium. During the Bronze Age the area was transformed by extensive woodland clearance and the creation of rectilinear fields and scattered farmsteads. The Iron Age saw more intensive landscape utilisation and settlement. About the time of the Roman invasion two farmsteads were fortified. A waterhole from one of these farmsteads revealed a large pottery assemblage dating to c. AD 60-70, showing a low level of Romanisation and few imported wares. A number of farmsteads were continuously occupied throughout the Roman period until after c. AD 370. The presence of Early Saxon activity at some sites suggests either continuity of occupation or only a short period of abandonment. These scattered Saxon farmsteads were probably abandoned during the Late Saxon period, when the rural settlement pattern generally changed to nucleated villages. Significant medieval remains include a farmstead and a manorial enclosure.