Beneath our feet lie stories of Roman London. This is the Roman Burial Ground. It is a place where history whispers from centuries ago.
In 2017 a significant discovery occurred in Southwark. A Roman sarcophagus was unearthed. This rare find was over 1500 years old. It proved the enduring legacy of Roman London. More remains are waiting to be discovered.
Londoners have been unearthing Roman relics for centuries. Discoveries of Roman remains date back to at least the 16th century. John Stow in 1598 described the finds. He mentioned earthen pots called urnae. They were full of ashes and burnt bones. These were the Romans’ remains who once inhabited this land. Romans used to burn their dead. They would then place their ashes in an urn for burial.
The medieval historian Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote about Roman beheadings. He placed them by the Walbrook stream. This stream ran through central London. Skulls have been found near the Walbrook for years.
In 1576, Spitalfields saw the unearthing of Roman burials. Diggers collected clay for brick-making. They found many earthen pots filled with ashes. Glass vessels were also discovered. Some amazingly still had liquid inside. Stow described diverse vials and cunningly wrought glasses. Some contained water as clear as spring water. Others held thick oil with an earthy smell. Some glasses were thought to contain balm.
In 1873, a cremation burial was found at Bishopsgate. It was within a glass jar. The jar was buried with grave goods. This included a square glass bottle. It contained nearly half a pint of an aromatic solution. The contents survived for over 1600 years. The cremation burial is now part of a collection. Enough bones remain to identify an adult. Two pig teeth were found with the human remains.
Urns with ashes of bones were found in 1678. This occurred at Goodman’s Fields outside Aldgate. More urns were discovered at Camomile Street near Bishopsgate. By 1722, William Stukeley included two burying places on his plan of Roman London.
Professional archaeological excavation has improved our knowledge. It is a shame that much of what was found has been lost. Stow noted that many pots and glasses were broken during excavation. Today we know about 2000 Roman London burials.
Excavations near Holborn Viaduct revealed Roman finds. These included wooden coffins and a funerary bed. The oak coffins and funerary bed are rare finds. They date back almost 2000 years. Only three well-preserved Roman timber coffins had been found before in London. Archaeologists have now found five more.
Depictions of beds in funerals are common in the Roman world. The funerary bed found here is the first complete example in Britain. It has carved feet and joints fixed with wooden pegs. It was likely used to carry the person to the burial. It served as a grave good for the afterlife.
Personal objects were found alongside skeletal remains. These included beads, a glass vial and a decorated lamp. Other artifacts included high-status jewelry.
Heather Knight explained that Romans buried their dead outside urban centers. This site was located near the major Roman road of Watling Street. The levels of preservation and wooden finds have been amazing.
The design on the lamp is an image of a defeated gladiator. It dates to the very early Roman period in Britain.
Archaeological excavations revealed a large Roman cemetery. It was located to the east of the city. During excavations 136 cremation burials were recorded. Also found were 550 inhumation burials. These were dated from the 1st to the 5th century AD. The burials had ample evidence of burial rites.
Most inhumations were buried in wooden coffins. At least 70 cremation burials were contained in an urn. The burial and pyre goods include items rarely found in the nearby settlement. Some even have more in common with continental cemeteries than British examples.