Roman mosaic discovered in London: ‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’ Discovery

This huge Roman mosaic unearthed in London is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime find.’

Dating from the late second century to the early third century, around 2,000 years ago, it’s the largest expanse of Roman mosaic found in London for more than 50 years.

However, traces of an earlier mosaic underneath the one currently visible have been identified which shows the room was refurbished over the years - so it could be older.

It’s also the most intact Roman mausoleum ever found in Britain.

Excavators uncovered 3,000 archaeological finds on the site, including four mosaics “of national importance”, numerous Roman skeletons and heaps of treasure.

The eight metre long mosaic masterpiece, which includes a pattern known as Solomon's knot, which is made of two interlaced loops, was found at a construction site near the iconic London Bridge.

The Museum of London Archaeology believes that the quality of its preservation makes it one of the most intact Roman tombs ever discovered in the UK.

The excavations were part of the Liberty of Southwark regeneration project, which will comprise of homes, workspace, shops and restaurants.

Its main panel features large, colourful flowers surrounded by bands incorporating a twisted-rope design, set within a red tessellated floor.

There are also geometric elements and lotus flowers in the main mosaic and a smaller nearby panel.

Archaeologists working at the site believe that the room housing the mosaic was a triclinium, a formal dining room in a Roman building.

It would have contained dining couches on which people would recline to eat and drink while admiring the decorative flooring.

The walls were also richly decorated - all signs indicate that this was a substantial building, perhaps two storeys high, requiring large buttresses in the corners for support.

The triclinium may have been part of a Roman mansio, effectively an upmarket motel offering accommodation, dining and stabling to state officials and couriers travelling to and from Londinium across the river.

The footprint of the building is still being uncovered, but it appears to have been a large complex around a central courtyard.

The Museum of London Archaeology site supervisor, Antonietta Lerz, said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime find in London.

”It has been a privilege to work on such a large site where the Roman archaeology is largely undisturbed by later activity - when the first flashes of colour started to emerge through the soil everyone on site was very excited."

The mosaics were carefully recorded and assessed by an expert team of conservators before being transported off-site, to enable more detailed conservation work to take place.

The developer has now put forward plans to house the archaeological finds in a community space ensuring Londoners can enjoy their majesty for years to come.

The new community space, named Wood Yards, will house both the restored mausoleum and the four mosaics, providing public viewing access.

The site forms part of the Liberty of Southwark – a development that will see the construction of offices, retail units and 36 new homes of which 50 per cent will be affordable.

Londinium, also known as Roman London, was the capital of Roman Britain during most of the period of Roman rule.

Most twenty-first century historians think that it was originally a settlement established shortly after the Claudian invasion of Britain, on the current site of the City of London around 47–50 AD.

But some defend an older view that the city originated in a defensive enclosure constructed during the Claudian invasion in 43 AD.

Its earliest securely-dated structure is a timber drain of 47 AD.

It sat at a key ford at the River Thames, which turned the city into a road nexus and major port (which was built between 49 and 52 AD), serving as a major commercial centre in Roman Britain until its abandonment during the 5th century.

Following the foundation of the town in the mid-1st century, early Londinium occupied the relatively small area of 1.4 km2 (0.5 sq mi), roughly half the area of the modern City of London and equivalent to the size of present-day Hyde Park.

In 60 or 61 AD, the rebellion of the Iceni under Boudica compelled the Roman forces to abandon the settlement, which was then razed.

Of the fifteen British routes recorded in the 2nd- or 3rd-century, seven ran to or from Londinium.

The roads are now known by Welsh or Old English names, as their original Roman names have been lost because of the lack of written and inscribed sources.

Timeline of Roman Britain:

• AD 43: the Romans, led by emperor Claudius, invade Britain.

• AD 48-50: London (Londinium) is founded.

• AD 72: the eastern building currently interpreted as a private residence was built.

• AD 120-160: the building currently interpreted as a mansio was built.

• AD 175-225: probable date for the largest mosaic panel in the 'mansio'.

• 4th century AD: both buildings fall out of use.

• AD 410: end of Roman control over Britain.

How the Roman built mosaics

Roman mosaics are constructed from geometrical blocks called tesserae, placed together to create the shapes of figures, motifs and patterns.

Materials for tesserae were obtained from local sources of natural stone, with the additions of cut brick, tile and pottery creating coloured shades of, predominantly, blue, black, red, white and yellow.

Polychrome patterns were most common, but monochrome examples are known.

Marble and glass were occasionally used as tesserae, as were small pebbles, and precious metals like gold.

Mosaic decoration was not just confined to floors but featured on walls and vaults as well.

Traces of guidelines have been found beneath some mosaics, either scored into or painted onto the mortar bedding.

The design might also be pegged out in string, or mounted in a wooden frame.

Roman mosaics frequently depicted religious figures, theatrical scenes, mythological stories, geometric labyrinth patterns, and other decorative designs.

The collapse of buildings in antiquity can, paradoxically, both irrevocably destroy mosaics or protect and preserve them.

Perhaps the earliest examples of Greco-Roman mosaic floors date to the late Republican period (2nd century BC) and are from Delos, Greece.

Tessellated pavements, using tessera, were used in Europe from the late fifth to early fourth centuries BC.

Roman’s were masters of engineering, the also constructed long-lasting roads.

A fine example is the 2,000 year old Roman Road that was uncovered in Worcester.

The ancient road could be the only one of its kind in Britain and of ‘global importance’ - If it is in keeping with the Roman history in the area, it was built in the 1st century AD.

You can read more about that road discovery HERE.

The photos in this article were taken by The Museum of London Archaeology during site visits.

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