Over the last 25 years, archaeology has revolutionized our knowledge of the early history of towns in Britain. 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...

In this authoritative volume, Patrick Ottaway draws on his extensive experience of urban archaeology to show how our conception of the early history of British towns has been radically changed over the last twenty five years.
Based on his day to day involvement in the field, this study highlights some of the most important discoveries and research themes of recent years, showing how long term urban research projects have revealed new information about towns and the lives of their inhabitants.
Well illustrated and highly readable, this volume offers a series of engaging and evocative...