Julia Velva, A Roman Lady from York: Her Life and Times Revealed

Patrick Ottaway

may 2021 · Pen and Sword History

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An intriguing examination of what we can learn about life in Roman Britain, using one woman’s third-century tombstone as a starting point.
 
The tombstone of Julia Velva, one of the best-preserved examples from Roman Britain, was found close to a Roman road just outside the center of York. Fifty years old when she died in the early third century, Julia Velva was probably from a wealthy family able to afford a fine monument. Patrick Ottaway uses the tombstone as the starting point to investigate what the world she lived in was like.
 
Drawing on the latest archaeological discoveries and scientific techniques, the author describes the development of Roman York’s legionary fortress, civilian town, and surrounding landscape. He also looks at manufacturing and trade, and considers the structure of local society along with the latest analytical evidence for people of different ethnic backgrounds. Aspects of daily life discussed include literacy, costume, cosmetics, and diet. There are also chapters dedicated to the abundant York evidence for religion and burial customs.
 
This book presents a picture of what one would have found on the edge of a great empire at a time when York itself was at the height of its importance. With dozens of photographs, specially prepared plans, and illustrations, this is an excellent study of one of Roman Britain’s most important places.

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Patrick Ottaway runs an archaeological consultancy, PJO Archaeology, based in York, providing a wide range of services to commercial and academic clients all over the UK. Educated at Oxford, Leeds and with a PhD from York in Viking Age ironwork, He has over 30 years of experience as a field archaeologist, notably as the former Head of Fieldwork at York Archaeological Trust, and has a particular expertise in researching the archaeology of towns.