Industry in north-west Roman Southwark: excavations 1984-8

Abstract

• An unusually extensive sequence of Roman metalworking workshops and hearths of later 1st- to late 4th-century date was found in excavations on the north-western edge of the (then) north island of Southwark, London. Iron smithing and, to a lesser extent, copper alloy casting and wrought metalworking took place. The metalworking evidence and the workshop economy are set in the context of metalworking techniques, metalworking in Roman society and related to possible demand for metal goods in Londinium itself and beyond. It is suggested, however, that this was primarily a service industry, meeting the needs of the increasingly prosperous north island of Southwark.