the use of visual techniques is a necessary prelude to the
use of these techniques. The present author has adopted the approach of
the Department of Urban Archaeology of the Museum of London (Orton 1977a),
which involves the use of a x20 hand-lens for visual fabric
characterisation. In combination with the analysis of hardness (by
fingernail and penknife), and general ‘feel’ and appearance, the
hand-lens technique can satisfactorily ascribe most wares to a fabric
group which may subsequently be analysed petrologically, if the aims of
the research demand this. The identification of fabric inclusions by the
present author follows the guidelines
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laid down by the Department of Urban Archaeology (Orton
1977a, b).
A small number of characterisation projects involving
petrological analysis have been conducted by other researchers which have
included material from the study region (e.g. Drury 1978, 58; Peacock
1977c, d; Williams 1977). The results of these analyses have been taken
into account by the present author, but no original petrological analysis
has been conducted specifically for this study. Projects on fine wares
found in Roman Britain, by Anderson et al.
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