Happy New Year! It’s amazing that 2020 is upon us already – which means that our annual conference is also approaching fast – see p.60 for more details of the timetable and how to have your say in the CA Awards.

When asked what the Romans did for us, ‘roads’ has to be high on any list documenting their legacy. Many of our modern motorways follow in Roman footsteps, including the A1 which, in North Yorkshire, echoes the path of Dere Street. In recent years, major improvement works on its route have uncovered an astonishing array of Roman archaeology, from settlements to cemeteries, and a diverse range of artefacts.

Development-led archaeology also lies behind our next two features. Since HMP Oxford closed its doors in 1996, a decade of excavations on the site have illuminated a millennium of the area’s history, from Saxon burh and Norman castle to county jail. Meanwhile, in London’s East End, the construction of new student accommodation has uncovered the remains of an Elizabethan playhouse rather less well known than Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre: the Boar’s Head Inn.

From commercial archaeology to careful conservation, our fourth feature enters the quiet confines of Westminster Abbey to explore the intricate artistry of its 13th-century Cosmati mosaics, recently expertly restored, and to trace the story of the sacred spaces they once adorned.

Finally, we move from medieval masterpieces to a rather more ancient artwork: the Uffington White Horse, which has been inspiring wonder in onlookers since the enigmatic hill-figure was created over 2,000 years ago.