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The Saga of Verulamium Building XXVII 2

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 May 2011

Sheppard Frere  and
Patricia Witts
Sheppard Frere
Affiliation:
Netherfield House, Marcham
Patricia Witts
Affiliation:
Wraxall, Bristolpat.witts@tiscali.co.uk
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Abstract

Recent debate about the dating of Building XXVII 2 at Verulamium highlights a potential conflict between archaeological and stylistic dating of mosaics. The stratigraphic and artefactual, particularly the numismatic, evidence for the dating of the construction of Building XXVII 2 and subsequent phases of activity are examined in detail. The coin finds indicate a late date (after c. a.d. 380) for the initial construction of this building and its mosaics, with a sequence of development suggesting the continuation of urban life well into the fifth century. This dating has been challenged, however, and it has been suggested that the mosaics, stylistically, are significantly earlier. Comments are offered on the stylistic dating of the Verulamium mosaics in an Appendix by Patricia Witts. In conclusion, there would appear to be no compelling reason why the historically important sequence of structures, suggesting the continuation of urban life in Verulamium well into the fifth century, as originally proposed, has to be rewritten.

Type
Articles
Information
Britannia , Volume 42 , November 2011 , pp. 263 - 274
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2011. Published by The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies

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References

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