Settlement in Roman Southwark: archaeological excavations (1991-8) for the London Underground Limited Jubilee Line Extension Project

Abstract

• This volume presents important discoveries relating to the origins and development of Roman Southwark from excavations near London Bridge Station, in advance of the new Jubilee Line Extension. In the prehistoric period the area was occupied by a series of sandy islands in the tidal reaches of the Thames. The earliest Roman features were associated with the construction of a road to the Thames bridgehead. Eight buildings were recorded along the eastern side of the road, over a length of 60m, and included a blacksmiths’ workshop and a narrow alley. All of the buildings were destroyed by fire in the Boudican revolt of AD 60–1. New buildings were replaced by an early 2nd-century colonnaded building which may have been a market hall. Further east was a late 1st-century warehouse. Land reclamation on the eastern fringes of the island allowed construction of 2nd- and 3rd-century residences. To the west of the road part of a mansion was recorded, along with a tidal channel and a scatter of burials.