This informal CPD article discussing the recent discovery of a rare Roman sarcophagus is delivered by Tower Demolition Ltd, highly experienced demolition professionals.
Demolition site
Much of the work we carry out is in London, a city that first came into being in about 50 AD under the Romans, who believed it would be a perfect location for a port. On occasions, it’s our privilege to dig through through layers of London’s rich history, discovering a wealth of fascinating stories and artefacts.
A recent project on Harper Road near Borough Market proved to be the most exciting yet, when a 1,600-year-old sarcophagus was found several metres underground. It was apparent that it had already been plundered in the 18th century—there was a ‘robber trench’ around the coffin, the lid was half open and only the bones remained inside, along with soil, but no precious items which would have been buried with the body.
Sarcophagus delivered to the Museum of London
Despite the tomb being previously accessed, it’s a remarkable and fascinating historical find, now at the Museum of London where experts will test and date the bones and soil samples. Through their research, they’ll learn more about Roman Southwark, which served as a burial area, with countless religious and funerary monuments used to commemorate their dead.
We worked in close collaboration with a specialist archaeological team from Southwark Council, who champion policies to ensure the borough’s ancient history is identified and preserved for future generations. By putting archaeology at the heart of our project plan from the outset, we can factor in the time needed for delicate excavations, so that any potential impact on the developers’ schedule is known well before work commences.
Achaeological conservation matters
We may be called Tower Demolition, but an important aspect of our job is archaeological conservation. We’re proud to ensure the long-term preservation of remains which help everyone to interpret and understand the past.
The archaeological team’s discoveries here were initially associated more with the living than the dead, though, as they uncovered the surface of a significant Roman road running north- south through the site. This route had evidently been in use for some time, as the substantial ditches bordering it had been recut on multiple occasions. Its discovery – lying to the east of where the road through Southwark is thought to have run – is one of the most exciting aspects of the project, said a project manager of the Archaeology team.