Roman Britain in Twenty Towns with Professor Richard Hingley

"Hingley has succeeded in writing a guidebook to the towns of Roman Britain that is so evocative and clear in its descriptions that visitors will have no difficulty conjuring up the ancient walls, streets, buildings, and daily bustle as they walk around the modern landscapes." ~ Edward Biddulph, Senior Project Manager, Oxford Archaeology

Richard Hingley is Emeritus Professor of Roman Archaeology at Durham University. He is the author of Hadrian's Wall: A Life, Londinium: A Biography (winner of the 2019 Prose Award) and Conquering the Ocean: The Roman Invasion of Britain.

He joins us to talk on his new book Roman Britain in Twenty Towns, a guide that breathes life into the archaeological sites of our towns and cities.

From York and Demetrius of Tarsus, to Hadrian's Wall, to Sulis Minerva's spa at Bath and the public buildings and walled circuits of other towns, Britain has a wealth of Roman urban remains to examine.

Designed for visitors wishing to explore the archaeological landscape, this user-friendly guide sets out a plan of 20 Roman towns - explaining how visitors can find the site and what they may expect to see. Where appropriate, this book explores how the town developed from an Iron Age settlement or where it began life as a military fortress or fort. Written by an expert in the field, each chapter addresses the following:

- An introduction to the history of the settlement, its origins and significance.
- An outline of the main ancient sites and monuments, with concise information on museums.
- Accessible maps of the archaeological features of each town.
- An up-to-date summary of the recent work on each Roman town, supported by further reading.

By following the footsteps of ancient peoples, this interactive guide offers users a fascinating picture of what can be seen at these urban centres.