AS YOU would expect from the head of archaeological fieldwork for the York Archaeological Trust, Patrick Ottaway is up-to-date with the most recent excavations in this ancient Roman city, while paying proper attention to the older, well-documented research.
This update to his 1993 book of the same name is not an easy read and is certainly not a bedtime book. Yet for someone who lives in the area and wants to appreciate the history all around him, it is an essential addition to the bookshelf.
Ottaway starts with the first legionary fortress, mentioning the pre-Roman settlements in the area that tend to be forgotten, and works his way through the archaeological evidence in chronological order until the confusing end of the Roman period.
For a softback, £17.99 seems a bit steep, until you look at the contents. It is detailed enough to satisfy the academic, but is written by a local specialist with the layman very much in mind.
Updated: 08:42 Wednesday, October 06, 2004
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