Roman and Medieval Carlisle: the Northen Lanes, Excavations 1978-82: Volume One: The Roman Period: 25 (Lancaster Imprints)

In the mid-1970s, Carlisle City Council finalised proposals for the redevelopment of the Lanes, a densely built-up area in the north-east corner of the city’s historic core, which, at the time, was crossed by 19 narrow lanes or vennels.These were to be swept away, and the area cleared, for the construction of the Lanes shopping centre.Previous archaeological work had confirmed the existence of complex Roman and medieval deposits in this part of the city, most of which would be destroyed by the new development.Consequently, a programme of archaeological and historical investigation, funded by Carlisle City Council, the Department of the Environment (now Historic England), the Manpower Services Commission, the Marc Fitch Fund and the Society of Antiquaries of London, was undertaken between 1978 and 1982.Historic England also provided substantial funding for post-excavation analysis and publication of the project’s results.To this day, the Lanes retains its position as one of the largest