Nicopolis Ad Istrum

This, the third and final monograph, completes the description of the excavations carried out by the British team, part of the Anglo-Bulgarian archaeological programme on the site of Nicopolis ad Istrum in northern Bulgaria, one of the best-preserved ancient cities of the Roman Empire. The site provided a unique opportunity to compare the changing layout and economy of an urban centre from the Roman to the late Roman and the early Byzantine periods (c. AD 100-600). The excavations, geophysics, coins and wall-plaster were published in volume 1. Volume 2 describes the evidence for economic changes between the Roman and early Byzantine periods and contains full reports on the pottery and the glass. This volume includes full descriptions of all small-finds (ceramic copper-alloy and iron objects, glass, lamps, sculpture, architecture and flints) each object provided with a description of its archaeological context and the date of deposition. The second half of the volume identifies the environmental and economic differences between the three main periods in the history of the site. Reports include quantified assemblages of zooarchaeological finds (large and, small mammals), fish, birds, archaeobotanical remains, mollusca and human skeletons as well as the results of metallurgical analysis: copper-alloy, iron and 'natural' steel. Not only is this range and quantity of finds in these reports unparalleled in the Balkans, they represent a valuable resource for the material culture of the Roman and late Roman periods coming, as they do, from a part of the Roman Empire which has produced very few comparable assemblages. Of no less importance are the quantified bioarchaeological data which offers a unique insight into the charging morphology and economy of a Roman, late Roman and early Byzantine city.

This, the third and final monograph, completes the description of the excavations carried out by the British team, part of the Anglo-Bulgarian archaeological programme on the site of Nicopolis ad Istrum in northern Bulgaria, one of the best-preserved ancient cities of the Roman Empire. The site provided a unique opportunity to compare the changing layout and economy of an urban centre from the Roman to the late Roman and the early Byzantine periods (c. AD 100-600). The excavations, geophysics, coins and wall-plaster were published in volume 1. Volume 2 describes the evidence for economic changes between the Roman and early Byzantine periods and contains full reports on the pottery and the glass. This volume includes full descriptions of all small-finds (ceramic copper-alloy and iron objects, glass, lamps, sculpture, architecture and flints) each object provided with a description of its archaeological context and the date of deposition. The second half of the volume identifies the environmental and economic differences between the three main periods in the history of the site. Reports include quantified assemblages of zooarchaeological finds (large and, small mammals), fish, birds, archaeobotanical remains, mollusca and human skeletons as well as the results of metallurgical analysis: copper-alloy, iron and 'natural' steel. Not only is this range and quantity of finds in these reports unparalleled in the Balkans, they represent a valuable resource for the material culture of the Roman and late Roman periods coming, as they do, from a part of the Roman Empire which has produced very few comparable assemblages. Of no less importance are the quantified bioarchaeological data which offers a unique insight into the charging morphology and economy of a Roman, late Roman and early Byzantine city.

The remarkable preservation of this Bulgarian site and the comprehensive nature of the British research programme combine to provide a unique insight into the physical, economic and palaeo- environmental history of a Roman city from the early 2nd to the late 6th century A.D. This first volume contains the results of the excavations, geophysical surveys, coins, epigraphic finds and an analysis of the Severan frescoes. It also summarises the results of the large environmental programme, small- find, architectural material and ceramic studies and assesses their implications for the city in its regional context and its relations with other parts of the Roman Empire and the early Byzantine world.

This is the first volume describing archaeological excavations undertaken from 1985 at Nicopolis ad Istrum, a Roman and Early Byzantine town in northern Bulgaria. This volume provides a catalogue of the glass and pottery recovered, describing the diagnostic types and typological sequence. Some observations about production and the economic and social implications of the pottery and glass are also made.

Barbarians serving in the Roman army, like all other Roman soldiers, faced difficult choices as political events buffeted their leaders and threatened their livelihoods. Honorius, Stilicho, Alaric, Galla Placidia, Constantius III and usurpers like Constantine III and Attalus left their imprints upon these years - coloring the fabric of political and spiritual life as much as they affected military affairs.

This is the first volume describing archaeological excavations undertaken from 1985 at Nicopolis ad Istrum, a Roman and Early Byzantine town in northern Bulgaria. This volume provides a catalogue of the glass and pottery recovered, describing the diagnostic types and typological sequence. Some observations about production and the economic and social implications of the pottery and glass are also made.