Silchester Revealed: The Iron Age and Roman Town of Calleva

Silchester is one of the best-known towns in Roman Britain, thanks to the Society of Antiquaries of London's excavation project from 1890–1909. Excavations by the author and the University of Reading since the 1970s have increased our knowledge of the town and its development, revealing a late Iron Age oppidum with strong Gallic connections and widespread political and trading links. The town was transformed into a planned Roman city in the early second century, reaching its peak of physical development with the re-building of the forum basilica. Defence building was a major landmark of the third century, but the town continued to flourish until the early fifth century. Modern archaeological methods have explored themes such as the built and natural environments, diet, dress, health, leisure activities, living conditions, occupations, and ritual behaviour of the inhabitants, and the town's role as a communications centre, economic hub, and administrative centre of the tribal 'county of the Atrebates.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2021
Publisher: Oxbow Books

Silchester, a town in Roman Britain, is renowned for its remarkably well-preserved town plan, unveiled through the extensive excavation project conducted by the Society of Antiquaries of London from 1890 to 1909. This excavation project has shed light on the town's rich history, making it one of the most well-known Roman settlements in both Britain and the Roman world.

Since the 1970s, the author and the University of Reading have conducted extensive excavations at various sites within Silchester, including the amphitheater, defenses, forum basilica, public baths, temple, and an extensive area of an entire insula. These excavations have not only increased our knowledge of the town but have also provided valuable insights into its development over time, from its origins to its eventual abandonment.

Through these research efforts, the late Iron Age oppidum at Silchester has been discovered, and its nature has been characterized with its strong Gallic connections and widespread political and trading links across southern Britain, to Gaul, and to southern Europe and the Mediterranean. The settlement's transformation into a planned Roman city has been traced, and its association with the Emperor Nero has been explored.

The city reached the peak of its physical development with the re-building of the great forum basilica in the early second century. Defense building, initially in earthwork and later in stone in the later third century, became significant landmarks of this period. However, it is evident that Silchester continued to flourish, even up to the early fifth century and the end of the Roman administration of Britain.

One of the intriguing aspects of Silchester is the enigma surrounding the Silchester ogham stone. This stone, discovered in the town, contains mysterious inscriptions that have yet to be fully deciphered. The story of Silchester's transformation from a town to a village is also explored, taking us up to the fourteenth century.

Modern archaeological methods have played a crucial role in exploring various themes that demonstrate change over time. These include the study of the built environment, such as the construction of buildings and structures, as well as the analysis of non-material evidence, such as pottery and artifacts. These methods have allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the town's history and its development.

In conclusion, Silchester is a remarkable town that has been the subject of extensive research and excavation. Through these efforts, we have gained a deeper understanding of its history, its development, and its association with the Roman world. The town's well-preserved town plan, coupled with the extensive excavations conducted by the author and the University of Reading, has contributed to our knowledge of Roman Britain and the Roman world. The ongoing research at Silchester promises to reveal more about this fascinating settlement and its place in history.

Weight: 820g
Dimension: 192 x 254 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914427084