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
National Roman Legion Museum It was occupied and operational for just over 200 years. The National Roman Legion Museum lies inside what remains of the fortress, and contains many artefacts from the period of Isca Augusta of Legio II Augusta from Roman currency to uniforms. A short walk from the National Roman Legion Museum is the remains of Isca Augusta: "See: main articles Isca Augusta and Caerleon". The museum is located in the centre of Roman Isca, on what was the "via principalis" leading to the amphitheatre. The first museum building was the Antiquarian Museum of 1850. This was built to a design by