This volume presents the results of long-term research by the North East Lincolnshire Archaeology and Local History Society and Dr Steve Willis of the University of Kent and in many ways presents a model of the benefits of combining the work of a voluntary group and university archaeologists. The two pages of acknowledgements, from field-walkers to flint specialists, exemplify the project's cooperative character.
The landscape explored includes the hitherto under-investigated eastern Lincolnshire Wolds and the valley of the Waithe Beck, which runs down towards the Lincolnshire Marshes and the North Sea, using a combination of field walking, aerial survey, geophysical survey and metal detecting. The volume begins with a detailed description of the landscape including geology, soils, drainage, and a synopsis of previous archaeological work. Evidence for Mesolithic, Neolithic and later prehistoric activity has been found in the area; however, the emphasis here is on the Roman period, which is much more visible, the focus is on the excavations at Hatcliffe Top and chapters 6 to 10 of this volume provide a detailed report on these.
The Roman rural settlement at Hatcliffe Top provides an interesting contrast to the better-known villa sites such as Horkstow and Winterton further to the north and the Roman fortress and colonia at Lincoln. Analysis of the coinage and pottery suggests that the peak of activity here was in the later fourth to early fifth century. Palaeoenvironmental evidence is drawn together to present a picture of a mixed agricultural system closely related to the landscape. The main crops were varieties of wheat and barley, grown on the Wolds plateau, with the Waithe Valley sides providing suitable pasture for livestock, which in this case was mainly cattle. The site served as a centre for crop collection and processing and crop dryers, also interpreted as malting ovens, were a significant feature, interestingly fired by coal.
Close collaboration with metal detectorists resulted in the discovery of some important finds, particularly a crossbow brooch and a gilded plate brooch which also demonstrate late Roman activity. A detailed account of all the finds is provided. There is intriguing evidence of Anglo-Saxon activity. Mention is also made of sites at Mount Pleasant, Nettleton and Rothwell.
The volume itself is beautifully presented with clear GIS-based maps. The use of photographs for finds interspersed amongst the text as well as line drawings is to be commended and the detailed catalogues will be useful for specialists.
If there is any criticism, I feel that the book would have benefitted from tighter editing in places as there was some repetition, particularly in sections discussing the landscape. The volume, however, makes a useful addition to our growing knowledge of ordinary rural communities in later Roman Britain.
