The site is the most intact Roman mausoleum in Britain and is believed to have been a burial site for wealthier members of Roman society.
An excavation effort led by the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) in Southwark, London, has unearthed an intricately decorated Roman mausoleum. Experts describe it as an “extremely rare” find, as it features almost completely intact floors and walls. In fact, MOLA believes that it’s the most intact Roman mausoleum in all of Britain.
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Fragments of the Past
MOLA executed the dig on behalf of Landsec and Transport for London (TfL) for an upcoming construction site near Borough Market and London Bridge, close to the Thames River’s south bank.
Workers at the dig site not only found inner flooring with a “striking” mosaic in pristine condition, but also raised platforms and steps on the lowest side of the structure. What’s more, excavators found that the flooring had two layers, with another identical mosaic underneath the first. Experts suspect that the Romans modified the building at some point in time, hence the unusual layering.
MOLA estimated that the building was at least two-storeys high, and used as a burial site for wealthy members of Roman society. Excavators found around 80 Roman burials as evidence of this, including items like glass beads and copper bracelets. They also uncovered 100 coins, pottery fragments, and roofing tiles. That said, excavators found no actual coffins within the dig site.
The History of Roman Britain
So what exactly were Roman remains doing in the middle of London? Well, Britain was actually a part of the Roman Empire for three and a half centuries—from the invasion of Emperor Claudius in AD 43 to the rule’s end in the early 5th century.
As a result, vestiges of the past can be seen across the territory. For example, one can find old amphitheaters used for entertainment in places like Gloucestershire and Hampshire.
Military stations like Hadrian’s Wall and the Richborough Roman Fort remain well-preserved and continue to stand to this day. Even the concepts of developed towns and civic life arose during the Roman occupation.
A Groundbreaking Find
The discovery of the intact mausoleum is another monumental one in the field of archeology, history, and even art. Excavators also unearthed the largest Roman mosaic in more than 50 years in this very same London site back in 2022.
“The discovery of a mausoleum with such a great level of preservation has really been the icing on the cake, and is an important addition to our understanding of this area of London during the Roman period,” shared Antonietta Lerz, a senior archeologist at MOLA, with CNN.
With the recently discovered remains, staff at MOLA are hoping to create a 3D model of what the mausoleum once looked like, as well as find its approximate age. Landsec and TfL also hope to restore the structure for public display in the foreseeable future.
Banner photo from Museum of London Archaeology’s official Facebook page.
