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A New History and Archaeology of Aquae Sulis
For almost three hundred years, excavations have been carried out in Roman Bath. At first these were rare and sporadic and archaeological finds were made by chance. Even fewer were reported. But from the 1860s, deliberate investigations were made and increasingly professional methods employed. The Roman Baths were laid open to view, but little was published. From the 1950s, interest accelerated, professionals and amateurs collaborated, and there was never a decade in which some new discovery was not made. The first popular but authoritative presentation of this work was made in 1971 and updated several times. However, from the 1990s to the present there has been some sort of archaeological investigation almost every year. This has thrown much new and unexpected light on the town of Aquae Sulis and its citizens. In this book, Peter Davenport, having been involved in most of the archaeological work in Bath since 1980, attempts to tell the story of Roman Bath: the latest interim report on the ‘Three Hundred Year Dig’.
"Throughout Roman Bath Davenport eloquently tells the story of the town of Aquae Sulis and unpacks a series of new and surprising discoveries that have been made over the last forty years."
"This is a book which can be enjoyed at many levels and readers who already know Bath well are likely to find as much to interest them as those who are new to the history of the city. The author’s knowledge of Aquae Sulis is unsurpassed and his enthusiasm for this fascinating period in Bath’s history shine through the pages of this informative volume."
Graham Barton,
"For anyone who is trying to get to grips with Roman Bath, this book provides an excellent and useful starting point, and provides signposts to key sources."
John Richards,
"Peter Davenport has been heavily involved with the archaeology of Roman Bath for over 40 years. He arrived to assist Barry Cunliffe in the excavation of the temple precinct beneath the Pump Room and the nearby sacred spring."
John Richards,
"A fascinating read packed full of remarkable revelations."
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