As shown above: Archaeologists are excavating newly unearthed mosaics in central London.
This mosaic consists of two extremely complex panels and is the largest mosaic ever found in London in half a century.
In the shadow of London's iconic Shard, archaeologists have found echoes of the city's ancient history. Right in the heart of the city, they found a striking Roman mosaic dating back to the late second or early third century.
Antonietta Lerz, Director of The Site at the Archaeological Museum of London, praised: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime discovery in London! ”
Archaeologists at the Archaeological Museum of London found the mosaic in the Liberty Southwick district near London Bridge while excavating a new residential and retail development. As the construction crew sifted through the dirt, something suddenly caught their attention.
Letz explains: "When the first colored flashes of light started to pass through the soil, everyone at the scene was very excited. ”
Archaeologists eventually discovered a Roman mosaic of two panels, more than 8 meters long. The larger panels feature lotus flowers, a pattern of "Solomon knots," and threads that are called guilloches of ornamental winding together. The smaller panels are simpler, but include some of the same design, red and black tiles. Historians have seen similar mosaics elsewhere.
As shown in the image above: This panel is nearly 2,000 years old and has a complex geometric pattern on it.
David Neal, an expert in Roman mosaics, believes that this larger panel was made by the Arcanthas Group, who developed a unique style in London. Interestingly, this smaller paneling bears a striking resemblance to the one found in Trier, Germany, which could mean that London's artisans brought their craft abroad.
Both of the mosaics most likely constitute a three-poster dining room, a formal kind of dining room where people of the ancient Roman upper class would lazily lie on the couch and chat, admiring the beautiful floor.
The three-pillar tower itself may have been part of a rest stop, an inn built for Roman officials to do official business, where they could rest, raise horses, and eat. Archaeologists suspect it's part of a larger complex, but they're still inspecting the site.
In fact, mosaics are not the only discoveries made by archaeologists at the Archaeological Museum of London. They also found evidence of a large building nearby, which may have been the private residence of a wealthy Roman. There, they found a complex bronze brooch, a bone hairpin, and a sewing needle.
Letz explains: "These findings are related to women of higher social status who follow the latest fashions and the latest hairstyles, who lived in the heyday of Roman London. The buildings here are of high status and the people who live here live a wonderful life. ”
As shown in the image above: This smaller mosaic is very similar to one found in Trier, Germany.
Roman London, or Rondinium, first appeared in 47 AD and expanded rapidly throughout the first century, reaching its peak in the second century. At that time, the population of Randyham was about 45,000 to 60,000.
It is the largest city in Roman Britannia and features squares, basilicas, bathhouses, temples and other features visible in the bustling center of Rome. The mosaics found near the Shard are an astonishing retracement of that era.
Henrietta Nowne, senior development manager at redevelopment specialist U+I, said: "Southwark Freedom Square has a long history, but we never imagined it would be so large and significant. The company is working with transport in London to develop Southwark Freedom Square.
Nouvan added: "We are committed to celebrating the heritage of all the sites that have been rebuilt, so we were able to unearth a beautiful, culturally significant specimen in the heart of London, which was fantastic and will now be preserved for future generations to enjoy." ”
Letz and her team are dedicated to preserving and displaying these stunning mosaics.
"In the long run, we want these things to be on public display and we are in consultation with The Southwark District Council to find a suitable building to place them so that everyone can appreciate them," she explains. ”
At present, the excavation of Roman mosaics continues, just a 3-minute walk from London's gleaming Shard.