The structures of the public buildings in the later Roman period: framing place and space

This chapter will review current knowledge and interpretations of public buildings in Romano-British towns and then an analysis of their known structural state in the later Roman period. This is necessary before the following chapters can examine the use of the buildings in the later Roman period. Analysis of the British data suggests that understanding of the public buildings is not always very comprehensive and assumptions have sometimes been made about the nature and function of the buildings from relatively limited evidence. The function is itself a complex subject: the buildings were not usually restricted to single roles, which adds a greater complication to the analysis of their late use. The location of the public buildings within the townscape, and their relationship with the landscape setting, are important factors to consider when examining their role and impact on the people using the towns. [First Chapter]