History of Southampton  Southampton is a city in Hampshire, England. The area has been settled since the Stone Age. Its history has been affected by its geographical location, on a major estuary on the English Channel coast with an unusual double high-tide, and by its proximity to Winchester and London; the ancient and modern capitals of England. Having been an important regional centre for centuries, Southampton was awarded city status by Queen Elizabeth II in 1964. Southampton became an important port in medieval times, experiencing several hundred years of fluctuating fortunes until it was expanded by the Victorians. As a centre of commerce, an industrial town and an important military embarkation point, Southampton was a strategic target for the Luftwaffe and was severely damaged in World War II. Post-war re-development and the need to accommodate 20th century innovations such as the motor car has significantly altered the character of Southampton. Numerous gravel pits have been dug in the Southampton area, many of which have yielded Stone Age tools. Evidence of a Stone Age settlement has been found at Priory Avenue, St Denys. Bronze Age objects have been found on Southampton Common, particularly by grave-diggers working in the cemetery and during the construction of the reservoir. Further Bronze Age finds have been made near Cobden Bridge. Iron Age earthworks have been found at Lordswood and Aldermoor and evidence of Iron Age buildings has been found in the City Centre. Antonine Itinerary VII documents the Roman settlement of "Clausentum" in Roman Britain as being west of Noviomagus Reginorum (Chichester) and from Venta Belgarum (Winchester). In about 1770, John Speed claimed that "Clausentum" was in the area that is now known as Bitterne Manor. In 1792, the Rev. Richard Warner investigated those claims and found a ditch, a bank and some Roman coins. Since then, this site has been investigated further and is generally accepted as the site of "Clausentum", but there is no universal agreement. Reference to modern maps show Bitterne Manor to be from Chichester. Wickham is at the junction of two Roman Roads and is a better fit to the distances documented in Antonine Itinerary VII. The case for "Clausentum" being situated at Bitterne Manor is based on archaeological evidence and the geography of the site (nestled inside a sharp bend in the River Itchen) which clearly allowed it to be turned into a good defensive position.