The most intact Roman mausoleum ever to be discovered in Britain is the latest archaeological discovery at Landsec and Transport for London’s Liberty of Southwark development.
The rare find, announced today (13 June), follows the discovery in February 2022 of some of the largest Roman mosaics found in London for more than 50 years. The site, which is being developed to provide offices, homes and shops, sits a stone’s throw away from Borough Market and London Bridge station.
Landsec and TfL are committed to restoring and retaining the mausoleum within the permanent scheme for public display.
Archaeological investigations were led by Museum of London Archaeology on behalf of Landsec and TfL, which own the site, and Southwark Council.
The remains of the mausoleum, a type of monumental tomb for wealthier members of Roman society, include the walls and interior flooring. A striking mosaic at its centre is surrounded by a raised platform on which the burials were placed. The lowest entrance steps into the structure also survive. It may have been a family tomb, or perhaps belonged to a burial club, where members would have paid a monthly fee to be buried inside.
Antonietta Lerz, senior archaeologist at MOLA, said: “This relatively small site in Southwark is a microcosm for the changing fortunes of Roman London – from the early phase of the site where London expands and the area has lavishly decorated Roman buildings, all the way through to the later Roman period when the settlement shrinks and it becomes a more quiet space where people remember their dead. It provides a fascinating window into the living conditions and lifestyle in this part of the city in the Roman period.”
Marcus Geddes, managing director for workplace at Landsec, said: “These extraordinary finds add great significance to the already culturally rich location of the Liberty of Southwark. We are pleased to have worked together to ensure these finds were uncovered prior to our construction on-site and we are committed to celebrating Southwark’s heritage in the future of the development.
“We will continue to work with MOLA to preserve and protect the mausoleum and mosaics, and to display them for the enjoyment of the public and our future office and retail customers.”
Archaeologists did not find any of the coffins or burials that would have originally been inside the mausoleum. However, more than 100 coins were discovered and the area immediately surrounding the mausoleum contained over 80 Roman burials, which included personal items such as copper bracelets, glass beads, coins, pottery and a bone comb.
With the collaboration to safely excavate the site ahead of construction now over, MOLA will continue its work to process and investigate the finds, including working to pinpoint an exact date for the mausoleum.
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