Isca Dumnoniorum settlement there (modern Caerleon) to be distinguished as "Isca Augusta", while the Devonian Isca was called "Isca Dumnoniorum": Usk of the Dumnonians. Exeter began as settlements on a dry ridge ending in a spur overlooking a navigable river teeming with fish, with fertile land nearby. Although there have been no major prehistoric finds, these advantages suggest the site was occupied early. Coins had been discovered from the Hellenistic kingdoms, suggesting the existence of a settlement trading with the Mediterranean as early as . This is disputed however by Prof T P Wiseman who alleges the hoard was not genuine. Following
Limes Britannicus was established in "Isca Dumnoniorum". This was abandoned about 75 AD and the place was elevated into the "civitas" of the Dumnonii. The city of Lincoln was initially the headquarters of the "Legio IX Hispana" and, at the end of the reign of Domitian, was elevated to a "Colonia". It lay on the river Witham, another important communication route. Near the town there was probably a bridge across the river. "Ermine Street" linked London ("Londinium") with the legion camp of York ("Eburacum"). In addition, one of Roman Britain’s main roads, the "Fosse Way", which ran from the west from the