Roman hall unearthed in London suburb

Press, 8 February 1985, Page 19

Roman hall unearthed in London suburb

NZPA-AP London The remains of what appears to be a Roman civic hall or a military headquarters have been uncovered during a six-month archaeological dig in London, the Museum of London said. The building, which measured about 30 metres by 12 metres had stone foundations and at least 10 rooms linked by a long corridor, with a wing at one corner, said the museum’s archaeologist Dr Mike Hammerson. It was excavated near a Roman road on a three-acre site within the old Roman town of Southwark in South London, in an area earmarked for construction of

a housing development at the end of February. “We have evidence to suggest it was some military establishment. Not a fort, but some sort of military headquarters or governmental building,” said Dr Hammerson. “it could be a large townhouse, but something on that scale is unlikely,” he said. The building, he said, probably dates from the late Roman period in the third or fourth century. The museum archaeological team, which began excavations in August, has also found a rare, 60cm Roman necklace of 35 faience beads complete with fastener, a

coin dating from the year 340, and several smaller Roman buildings. The excavation revealed six graves, including one of a child, dating from Roman times. “At least a year would be needed to properly complete the dig,” Dr Hammerson said, “but the archaeologists hope they will be given a six-month reprieve by the Department of the Environment to prevent immediate construction on the site.” The Greater London Council, which bought the site in 1983, plans along with the Southwark Town Council to begin building a housing development next month.