Beschrijving

As a consequence of extensive urban redevelopment, between 2001 and 2005 several large-scale archaeological excavations were undertaken by the University of Manchester Archaeological Unit in Castlefield, an area located close to Manchester’s city centre. In antiquity this area was the site of the Roman fort of Mamucium and also a large Roman settlement, or vicus, elements of which were examined during the University of Manchester’s excavations. This monograph presents the findings of this significant phase of archaeological work within the vicus, and details the evidence for Roman military activity and later commercial, industrial and ritual/cult activity within this settlement. It also presents a detailed analysis of the extensive collection of Roman artefacts recovered during the course of excavation. Taken together these remains will form an essential resource for disentangling the pre-industrial origins of Manchester and will also, in turn, shed light on Roman settlement found at the frontiers of the Roman Empire.