Roman York beneath the streets

Evidence of the nature and topography of Roman York (Eburacum) remains limited despite many centuries of research. Clearer knowledge is an essential prerequisite for comprehending both its role within the Roman world and its transformation into a new centre of power in the post-Roman period. This project, created in consultation with local organizations and official bodies interested in the archaeology of Roman York will capitalise on the results of past research to build a new foundation for future exploration and public presentation. This is particularly timely given current plans for enhancing existing museum displays and the development of a new Roman visitor centre in the city.

York exemplifies a general challenge in urban archaeology - how to integrate fragmentary excavated evidence to understand complete town plans. This project offers a new integrated approach, combining evidence from past excavations and museum archives with the results of new Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys as well as a newly enhanced subsurface deposit model, to provide a new synthesis of the development of Roman York and its environs. The GPR work will include surveys of present day streets as well as larger open areas within the City. The study of the archives will be completed in co-operation with the York Archaeological Trust (YAT) and the York Museums Trust (YMT). All project outputs will contribute to an upgrading of the City of York Council's Historic Environment Record (HER) and will be used to inform new museum and visitor centre displays planned by YMT and YAT.