England An Oxford Archaeological Guide to Sites from Earliest Times to AD 1600

by Darvill, Timothy; Stamper, Paul; Timby, Jane

• ISBN13: 9780192841018
• ISBN10: 0192841017
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-07-11
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Traveling around England is in many senses a journey back in time. On all sides, and sometimes even under the road or footpath itself, there are fragments of the ancient past alongside the clutter of the modern world. Medieval villages, castles, ancient churches, and Roman villas are commonplace and take us back to the time of Christ. And far older, yet equally abundant, are the barrows, hillforts, stone circles, camps, standing stones, trackways, and other relics of prehistoric times. Now, thanks to these three archaeologists--each a specialist in one of the three periods covered by theGuide: prehistoric, Roman, and medieval--readers have the chance to not only explore but to understand in context these fascinating sites and ruins. In addition to reporting on such well-known sites as Stonehenge and Hadrian's Wall, and cities such as London and York--which themselves offer a wealth of archaeological remains--the book also covers smaller, lesser-known sites throughout the country. An introductory section provides background to the monuments, and a reference section provides definitions, further reading, and information about museum collections. Finally, there are 200 photographs, plans, and maps that depict and describe these ancient remains in detail.

Author Biography

Timothy Darvill is Professor of Archaeology in the School of Conservation Sciences at Bournemouth University. He has served as Chairman of the Institute of Field Archaeologists and a Member of the Council of the National Trust.Jane Timby is a freelance archaeological consultant specializing in later prehistoric, Roman, and Saxon pottery. Paul Stamper is an Inspector of Ancient Monuments for English Heritage.

Table of Contents

Visiting archaeological sites	xi
How to use this Guide	xiii
Maps	xv
Text boxes	xvi
Sites listed by archaeological period	xvii
Abbreviations	xxvi
Introduction	1	(68)
Archaeological sites arranged by region	69	(390)
Northumbria	71	(34)
The Lake District and north-west	105	(28)
Yorkshire and the Humber basin	133	(32)
East Midlands	165	(22)
The Midlands plain and Welsh borders	187	(30)
East Anglia	217	(34)
The Chilterns and Northampton uplands	251	(19)
The Cotswolds and upper Thames valley	270	(41)
London	311	(10)
The Weald and downland of south-east England	321	(48)
Wessex and the west country	369	(56)
The south-west peninsula	425	(34)
Reference section
Chronology	459	(5)
Glossary	464	(8)
Museums	472	(5)
Further reading	477	(4)
Useful addresses and internet sites	481	(2)
Index of sites	483	(10)
Illustrations-Acknowledgements	493