Ian Bunn | Political & Popular Culture Arts

Maev Kennedy the Irish staff news writer for The Guardian has published an article titled ‘Archaeologists find 10,000 objects from Roman London’ following discoveries include writing tablets, thousands of pieces of pottery and a large collection of phallus-shaped luck charms. Kennedy states ”Scores of archaeologists working in a waterlogged trench through the wettest summer and coldest winter in living memory have recovered more than 10,000 objects from Roman London, including writing tablets, amber, a well with ritual deposits of pewter, coins and cow skulls, thousands of pieces of pottery, a unique piece of padded and stitched leather – and the largest collection of lucky charms in the shape of phalluses ever found on a single site. Sophie Jackson, of Museum of London Archaeology, said: “The waterlogged conditions left by the Walbrook stream have given us layer upon layer of Roman timber buildings, fences and yards, all beautifully preserved and containing amazing personal items, clothes and even documents – all of which will transform our understanding of the people of Roman London.” The horrible working conditions, in a sodden trench up to 7 metres deep along the buried river, resulted in startling preservation of timber – including massive foundations for buildings, fencing still standing to shoulder height, and remains of a complex Roman drainage system, as well as the largest collection of leather from any London Roman site, bone and even a straw basket, which would all have crumbled into dust centuries ago on a drier site. The most puzzling object is an elaborately worked piece of leather, padded and stitched with an image of a gladiator fighting mythical creatures. The archaeologists believe it may have come from a chariot, but are only guessing since nothing like it has ever been found. …Up to 60 archaeologists from Museum of London Archaeology worked on the site, digging by hand through 3,500 tonnes of soil. The site, which includes the longest surviving stretch of the Walbrook, covers the entire period of Roman London, from very soon after the invasion to the 5th century.”

Inspired by Maev Kennedy, The Guardian ow.ly/k8SBa Image source Twitter ow.ly/k8SyE

Chris Thomas the English Senior Consultant at Museum of London Archaeology and heads up the MetroMOLA regional service is leading an excavation of the former Shakespearian Curtain Theatre’s footings unearthed in East London. The Curtain Theatre is one of oldest theatre spaces in London, opening in 1577 and hosting two premieres of Shakespeare’s significant works – Romeo & Juliet and Henry V, until the opening of the Globe Theatre on the Bankside of the Thames. The Curtain was dismantled in the early 17th century, leaving its exact whereabouts unclear. Although the Curtain was known to be in the approximate area as it was named after the road it fronted. Thomas states “This is a fantastic site which gives us unique insight into early Shakespearean theatres. On other Tudor theatres we’ve found quantities of little pottery money boxes, which the punters put the price of admission into on the way in, which were then smashed at the back of the theatre to get the takings – I’m sure some from the Curtain are still there, just waiting for us to find them.” Excavation so far has located two sections of exterior wall which will be critical for determining the theatre’s dimensions.  As the location is further cleared for redevelopment, confidence is high that other artifacts will be revealed.

Inspired by The Guardian ow.ly/bJjQK image source MetroMOLA ow.ly/bJjMf