London's 'Lasagne' of History: Uncovering the City's Ancient Secrets
London, a bustling metropolis with a rich historical tapestry, offers a unique archaeological experience akin to peeling back the layers of a lasagne dish. As the city constantly evolves, new developments regularly unveil hidden treasures from the past, providing a fascinating glimpse into London's ancient past. From prehistory to the Victorian era, the capital's archaeological discoveries are as diverse as they are captivating.
The recent uncovering of what is believed to be London's earliest theatre and its first basilica showcases the city's historical significance. However, it's the 2021 dig near the Shard that truly amazed archaeologists. They unearthed a rare mausoleum and a luxurious Roman villa, with a stunning find of 20 colourful frescoes smashed into 10,000 pieces in a Roman pit, now featured in the BBC Two show 'Digging for Britain'.
The Museum of London Archaeology (Mola) team, led by Sophie Jackson, discovered the pit and wall plaster, a surprising find given their initial knowledge of the site's location between two Roman roads. Jackson's passion for archaeology, despite not having a degree in the field, is evident as she describes the thrill of uncovering London's past. She explains that the city's layers of history, with centuries of past piled on top of one another, require archaeologists to 'undo time' and 'unpack the site in the reverse order that it happened'.
The waste from people's lives 2,000 years ago can be among the most valuable finds. The construction of the European headquarters for Bloomberg revealed thousands of Roman objects, including what might be the UK's oldest handwritten document. Jackson attributes this success to the site's waterfront location, where Romans regularly dumped layers of landfill from different parts of the city, providing a rich historical record.
These discoveries have led to new ideas about Roman London's zoning, with different nationalities living in various areas. For instance, a Gaulish tradition was found in north Southwark, while other groups were discovered in different parts of the city. The sites where digs take place are dictated by planned developments, with London's historic core within the Square Mile often proving most productive for archaeologists.
Jackson expresses her desire to delve into areas like beneath Upper and Lower Thames Street on the north bank of the river, which sits above Roman waterfronts and medieval buildings. However, there are no current plans to build a tunnel through this area, which is unfortunate for history enthusiasts.
Mola's work in Wapping, where a future distribution centre was found, revealed a 'little microcosm of a whole community'. Tonnes of objects were discovered in former cesspits and brick-lined wells, offering insights into an area once known as Sailor Town, which was thought to be overcrowded and dangerous but was actually home to people from all walks of life.
Alex Banks, a senior archaeologist, describes the work in Wapping as different from the typical TV portrayal of archaeology, with digs even occurring in a building's basement while the floors above are being demolished. He emphasizes the importance of detailed recording and the use of machinery in archaeology.
In 2024, Banks was part of a team that uncovered what is believed to be the first Roman bed found in Britain during a dig at an ancient cemetery in Holborn. This rare find, surviving in the dirt for almost two millennia, is currently being treated and studied for further display, highlighting the team's dedication to preserving and understanding the past.
Sophie Jackson emphasizes the key role of archaeology in giving people a sense of perspective and connecting them with the past in a visceral way. She believes it's essential to make people aware of their place in London, a city that has existed for 2,000 years, and to highlight their role in the city's ongoing story.
