Exeter - A Place in Time

Oxbow are currently doing a special pre-publication deal for the two printed (hardback) volumes:

Roman and Medieval Exeter and their Hinterlands: From Isca to Excester (Exeter A Place in Time Volume 1): https://www.oxbowbooks.com/oxbow/roman-and-medieval-exeter-and-their-hinterlands.html
This first volume, presenting research carried out through the Exeter: A Place in Time project, provides a synthesis of the development of Exeter within its local, regional, national and international hinterlands. Exeter began life in c. AD 55 as one of the most important legionary bases within early Roman Britain, and for two brief periods in the early and late 60s AD, Exeter was a critical centre of Roman power within the new province. When the legion moved to Wales the fortress was converted into the civitas capital for the Dumnonii. Its development as a town was, however, relatively slow, reflecting the gradual pace at which the region as a whole adapted to being part of the Roman world. The only evidence we have for occupation within Exeter between the 5th and 8th centuries is for a church in what was later to become the Cathedral Close. In the late 9th century, however, Exeter became a defended burh, and this was followed by the revival of urban life. Exeter’s wealth was in part derived from its central role in the south-west’s tin industry, and by the late 10th century Exeter was the fifth most productive mint in England. Exeter’s importance continued to grow as it became an episcopal and royal centre, and excavations within Exeter have revealed important material culture assemblages that reflect its role as an international port.

Studies in the Roman and Medieval Archaeology of Exeter: Exeter, A Place in Time Volume II: https://www.oxbowbooks.com/oxbow/studies-in-the-roman-and-medieval-archaeology-of-exeter.html
This second volume presenting the research carried out through the Exeter: A Place in Time project presents a series of specialist contributions that underpin the general overview published in the first volume. Chapter 2 provides summaries of the excavations carried out within the city of Exeter between 1812 and 2019, while Chapter 3 draws together the evidence for the plan of the legionary fortress and the streets and buildings of the Roman town. Chapter 4 presents the medieval documentary evidence relating to the excavations at three sites in central Exeter (High Street, Trichay Street and Goldsmith Street), with the excavation reports being in Chapter 5-7. Chapter 8 reports on the excavations and documentary research at Rack Street in the south-east quarter of the city. There follows a series of papers covering recent research into the archaeometallurgical debris, dendrochronology, Roman pottery, Roman ceramic building material, Roman querns and millstones, Claudian coins, an overview of the Roman coins from Exeter and Devon, medieval pottery, and the human remains found in a series of medieval cemeteries.

Studies in the Roman and Medieval Archaeology of Exeter This second volume on the EAPIT Project presents the results of integrating the study of a city within its wider landscape context, using modern scientific techniques to investigate archaeological materials excavated in the 1970s and 80s.

Today's post comes from Stephen Rippon, Professor landscape archeology at Exeter University:

‘For me, the Covid-19 crisis has been a mixed blessing with a major conference postponed, but more time to finish off editing two major books on Exeter and its South-Western hinterland. For the past four years, my life has been dominated by managing a major research project – Exeter: A Place in Time. A large team of contributors have been writing up some of the archaeological excavations carried out in advance of the construction of the Guildhall Shopping Centre in Exeter, as well as carrying out scientific analyses on some of the artefacts that were found (and are now stored at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum). John Allan has also completed a major piece of historical research into the history of the medieval tenements in St Pancras parish that included part of the High Street frontage opposite Broadgate. The project will produce two books. The first – Roman and Medieval Exeter and their Hinterlands: From Isca to Escanceaster – will present an overview of the development of Exeter from its origins as a Roman legionary fortress through to it becoming the 6th wealthiest and most populous city of England by the early 16th century. The second volume – Studies in the Roman and Medieval Archaeology of Exeter – is a collection of more specialist papers including John Allan’s remarkable historical research.
April was to have seen the end-of-project conference, but postponing it back on the 16th March was not a difficult decision as the crisis loomed. We hope to have the conference in 2021 … although that seems a long time away.
Since lockdown I have been able to make better than expected progress on editing the two books: a small silver lining of a very large dark cloud. Working at home for so long has presented its challenges, but it has its benefits – such as not driving to work, and better quality coffee. My garden has never been so carefully looked after, and some byways around my home in the Exe Valley have been explored for the first time. The great Devon historian W G Hoskins lived in the next village, and so I like to think that I have been literally walking in the footsteps of Hoskins. Is it me or have there also been some exceptional sunsets?
There has been much talk about a ‘new normal’, and things will no doubt change in the short, medium and long term. There are benefit to homeworking, online research and collaboration, and a somewhat slower pace of life. But personally I am looking forward to some aspects of the old normal: meeting friends and colleagues face-to-face at a conference, and seeing our two printed books that mark the end of four years of very productive collaborative research.’

Tomorrow's post will be written by Prof. Roger Burt.