London's Roman amphitheatre: Guildhall Yard, City of London

Resource type
Book
Creator (person)
Bateman, Nick
Cowan, Carrie
Wroe-Brown, Robin
Date published
2008
Abstract
London’s important Roman amphitheatre was excavated in the 1990s; its remains are displayed in the Guildhall Art Gallery. A timber amphitheatre, built c AD 74, included evidence of the eastern entrance, arena palisade, seating bank and associated drains. Shortly after AD 120 it was rebuilt with masonry foundations and walls, associated with new timber stands. By the mid 4th century the amphitheatre had been abandoned. The excavated evidence allows conjectural reconstruction and comparison with other British amphitheatres. Significant finds include an early 2nd-century AD dump of glass cullet, lead curses from the arena surface and samian pottery with gladiatorial motifs.
Publisher
MOLA
Place of publication
London, UK
Related URL
Rights statement
In Copyright