'The Pompeii of the North': London's most important ever archaeological dig unearths THOUSANDS of perfectly preserved Roman artefacts and underground structures
Thousands of Roman artefacts have been unearthed in an archaeological dig hailed as 'the most important excavation ever held in London'.
Archaeologists have found coins, pottery, shoes, lucky charms and an amber Gladiator amulet which date back almost 2,000 years.
Experts leading the excavation have also uncovered wooden structures from the 40s AD around 40ft beneath the ground.
The site is just yards from the River Thames and alongside a huge building project for new offices on Queen Victoria Street in the heart of London's financial district.
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The discoveries have been so
well preserved in the muddy waters of the lost Walbrook River that
archaeologists have nicknamed the site 'the Pompeii of the North'.
Sadie Watson, the site director from the Museum of London Archaeology, said: 'Certainly the archaeology on this project so far is probably the most important excavation ever held within London, certainly within Roman London.
'The depth, the preservation, the extent of the archaeology - the entire Roman period is represented by fantastic buildings as well as artefacts.'
The three-acre site, which was once on the banks of the River Walbrook, is also home to the Temple of Mithras, discovered in the 1950s.
Archaeologists from the museum were able to excavate the area when work to build the vast Bloomberg Place development began.
Since then around 10,000 accessioned finds have been discovered by 60 archaeologists - the largest haul of small finds to have ever been recovered on a single excavation in the capital.
Approximately 3,500 tonnes of soil have been excavated by hand, which is around 21,000 barrows full.
More than 100 fragments of
Roman writing tablets have been unearthed, while 700 boxes of pottery
fragments will be analysed by specialists.
This site has provided the largest quantity of Roman leather to have ever been unearthed in the capital, including hundreds of shoes.
Sophie Jackson, from the museum, said: 'The site is a wonderful slice through the first four centuries of London's existence.
'The waterlogged conditions left by the Walbrook stream have given us layer upon layer of Roman timber buildings, fences and yards, all beautifully preserved and containing amazing personal items, clothes and even documents - all of which will transform our understanding of the people of Roman London.'
Archaeologists have found coins, pottery, shoes, lucky charms and an amber Gladiator amulet which date back almost 2,000 years.
Experts leading the excavation have also uncovered wooden structures from the 40s AD around 40ft beneath the ground.
The site is just yards from the River Thames and alongside a huge building project for new offices on Queen Victoria Street in the heart of London's financial district.
Scroll down for video
The Bloomberg Place construction site in the City financial district of
London where archaeologists have discovered thousands of Roman artefacts
Archaeologists work to unearth Roman artifacts.
The site, which was once home to the Roman Temple of Mithras and
situated on the lost Walbrook stream, is to be the new headquarters of
Bloomberg
A fragment of an ceramic beaker, dating from around the 1st century AD, among thousands of Roman artefacts unearthed
Sadie Watson, the site director from the Museum of London Archaeology, said: 'Certainly the archaeology on this project so far is probably the most important excavation ever held within London, certainly within Roman London.
'The depth, the preservation, the extent of the archaeology - the entire Roman period is represented by fantastic buildings as well as artefacts.'
The three-acre site, which was once on the banks of the River Walbrook, is also home to the Temple of Mithras, discovered in the 1950s.
Fascinating finds: Other items unearthed include
this complete ceramic beaker with applied 'ring and dot' decoration
(left) and an amber amulet in the shape of a gladiator's helmet (right)
Uncovered: A ceramic oil lamp depicting a stag (left) and a selection of Roman pins (right)
Artifact: A lead or tin plaque depicting a bull, which could be a representation of the zodiac symbol Taurus
It has offered experts an unprecedented glimpse into life in the bustling centre of Roman Londinium.Archaeologists from the museum were able to excavate the area when work to build the vast Bloomberg Place development began.
Since then around 10,000 accessioned finds have been discovered by 60 archaeologists - the largest haul of small finds to have ever been recovered on a single excavation in the capital.
Approximately 3,500 tonnes of soil have been excavated by hand, which is around 21,000 barrows full.
The discoveries have been so well preserved in
the muddy waters of the lost Walbrook River that archaeologists have
nicknamed the site 'the Pompeii of the North'
This site has provided the largest quantity of
Roman leather to have ever been unearthed in the capital, including
hundreds of shoes
More than 100 fragments of Roman writing tablets
have been unearthed, while 700 boxes of pottery fragments will be
analysed by specialists
This site has provided the largest quantity of Roman leather to have ever been unearthed in the capital, including hundreds of shoes.
Sophie Jackson, from the museum, said: 'The site is a wonderful slice through the first four centuries of London's existence.
'The waterlogged conditions left by the Walbrook stream have given us layer upon layer of Roman timber buildings, fences and yards, all beautifully preserved and containing amazing personal items, clothes and even documents - all of which will transform our understanding of the people of Roman London.'
