Description
Highlights:
- Revealing Roman Wroxeter: New insights from one of Britannia’s largest urban centres
- A life on the tiles: Exploring the work of David Neal as artist and archaeologist
- The future of studying the past: Showcasing archaeological science at Fort Cumberland
- Current church archaeology: Exploring the peculiarities of excavating in sacred spaces
- A Midlands milestone: Marking 30 years of excavations by the University of Leicester Archaeological Services
If you are interested in Roman mosaics, then this issue of CA will be something of a treat for you! Three of this month’s articles touch on different aspects of these fabulous floors, beginning with our cover feature, which highlights the latest discoveries from Wroxeter, once one of the largest urban centres in Britain. There, the first research excavations to take place on the site in over 30 years have uncovered illuminating new insights into the settlement’s city centre – including part of a luxurious residence boasting a beautiful mosaic with an aquatic theme.
We also examine the life and work of an archaeologist who has made a major contribution to our understanding of mosaics: David Neal, who has documented every new discovery since 1960.
Completing this tessellated trilogy, beautiful mosaics also appear in an article celebrating the 30th birthday of one of the UK’s major commercial units. University of Leicester Archaeological Services have been transforming our knowledge of the historic environment in the Midlands since 1995; we explore some of their key discoveries, from a certain ‘king in the carpark’ to elaborately floored Roman townhouses.
Complementing the above, this month we also have a report showcasing some of the latest advances in archaeological science – from analysing Roman cremations to conserving Victorian dinosaur statues – as we mark the recent refurbishment and reopening of Historic England’s Fort Cumberland laboratories.
We close with an exploration of Cotswold parish churches, highlighting some of the features (and challenges) specific to excavating within ecclesiastical environments.
Cover Date: Aug-2025, Volume 36 Issue 5
