Over the last 25 years, archaeology has revolutionized our knowledge of the early history of towns in Britain. Based on his day-to-day involvement in urban archaeology, Patrick Ottaway reviews the crucial work of the urban archaeologist during this period and considers a variety of long-term research programmes which have brought to light new information about towns and the lives of their inhabitants. Beginning with the story of Britain's first town, the Roman colony at Colchester, Ottaway examines the course of urban development in the Roman, Anglo-Saxon and medieval periods. He draws on research conducted at great historic centres, such as London and York, and at less prominent places, such as Hull, Perth and Aberdeen. As a background to the discoveries themselves, the book looks at the increasingly sophisticated archaeological techniques involved. It also looks at some of the problems of preserving the urban past, and includes two case studies in which the interests of archaeology and property development have clashed.

The tombstone of Julia Velva, one of the best-preserved examples from Roman Britain, was found close to a Roman road just outside the centre of York. Fifty years old when she died in the early third century, Julia Velva was probably from a wealthy family able to afford a fine monument. Patrick Ottaway uses the tombstone as the starting point to investigate what the world she lived in was like. Drawing on the latest archaeological discoveries and scientific techniques, the author describes the development of Roman York's legionary fortress, civilian town and surrounding landscape. He also looks at manufacturing and trade, and considers the structure of local society along with the latest analytical evidence for people of different ethnic backgrounds. Aspects of daily life discussed include literacy, costume, cosmetics and diet. There are also chapters dedicated to the abundant York evidence for religion and burial customs. This book presents a picture of what one would have found on the edge of a great Empire at a time when York itself was at the height of its importance. Illustrated with dozens of photographs, specially prepared plans and illustrations, this is an excellent study of one of Roman Britain's most important places.

The great historic city of York owes its origins to the Roman army which built a fortress here on the banks of the River Ouse in AD 71. By the early third century York had also became the site of a major urban center and the capital of the northern half of Britain when what had been a single Roman province was divided into two. York's importance is reflected in the fact that two Roman emperors died in the city: Septimius Severus in the year 211, and Constantius I in 306, his son Constantine was then acclaimed emperor here by his father's troops.

"Roman York" tells the story of the fortress and town from their foundation until the early fifth century when Britain ceased to be part of the Roman Empire. Particular emphasis is placed on the results of recent excavations and research which have added great deal to our knowledge and understanding of the people who lived in a place the Romans knew as "Eboracum."

Over the last twenty-five years, archaeology has revolutionized knowledge of the early history of towns in Britain. In "Archaeology in British Towns," Patrick Ottoway examines the crucial work of the urban archaeologist during this exciting period and considers a variety of long-term research programs which have revealed new information about towns and the lives of their inhabitants.
Ottoway recounts the story of Britain's first town, the Roman colony of Colchester, drawing from archaeological research conducted at such great historic centers as London and York, as well as at lesser known places such as Hull, Perth, and Aberdeen, examining the course of urban development in the Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Medieval periods. As a background to the discoveries themselves, the book looks at the increasingly sophisticated archaeological techniques. The work of the urban archaeologist is described in close detail, along with a thorough examination of the complex socialand economic institutions which form towns. Some of the problems of preserving the urban past are also considered, and Ottoway illustrates these difficulties with reference to recent cases in which the interests of archaeology and property development have clashed.
"Archaeology in British Towns" is of interest to those involved in archaeology, as well as to students of early social history.