Roman occupation south-east of the forum: excavations at 20 Fenchurch Street, City of London, 2008-9

Excavations near the Roman forum on Londinium’s eastern hill (modern Cornhill) revealed archaeological evidence from the earliest period of London’s history. Intensive domestic occupation from c AD 50–5 was interrupted by the Boudican fire of AD 60/61 and construction of a temporary fort of c AD 63–85; possibly fort-related features on the site include clay-and-timber buildings, a large timber-lined water tank and a metalworking workshop. Domestic activity then resumed, with 1st-century clay-and-timber buildings replaced by masonry structures in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Finds recovered include lorica segmentata armour fittings, dress accessories and a wealth of early Roman pottery.