SECRETS from Winchester’s Roman history are revealed in a new book launched last week.

The Roman Cemeteries and Suburbs of Winchester was launched by Mayor of Winchester Frank Pearson on Tuesday (Nov 20) at a ceremony at Abbey House.

It reports findings from a series of archaeological studies in Winchester from the 1970s and 1980s and the authors were delighted to see the culmination of their work.

Ken Qualmann, archaeologist and one of the authors, said: “I’m very pleased and relieved. It’s a pleasure to have such a big piece of work published but relieved because I was responsible for most of the excavations and I started the rescue unit in 1972 and I started to think some of this would never see the light of day.

“These studies will be an invaluable resource for scholars especially because of new techniques and studies like DNA research which wasn’t possible 30-years-ago.”

The book is part of an ongoing series of the various finds in Winchester spanning various periods.

Helen Rees, curator of archaeology for Winchester Museums Service, said: “This has worked out very well and we have worked very closely with English Heritage who funded the project. Any profits from the book will go towards the next volume in our series which is going to be about Roman and Medieval pottery.”

Cllr Pearson added: “Excavation is invaluable for the museum service and the curators’ eyes light up at the thought.”

The book costs £35 and is out now.