'The Pompeii of the North': London's most important ever archaeological dig unearths THOUSANDS of perfectly preserved Roman artefacts and underground structures

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'The Pompeii of the North': London's most important ever archaeological dig unearths THOUSANDS of perfectly preserved Roman artefacts and underground structures

• Coins, pottery, shoes, lucky charms and amber Gladiator amulet found
• Experts believe artefactsfound near Thames date back 2,000 years
• Discoveries have been preserved in muddy waters of lost Walbrook River
• It provides largest quantity of Roman leather ever unearthed in the capital
• Site lies alongside huge building project for new offices in central London
• Three-acre site is also home to the Temple of Mithras, discovered in 1950s

By Leon Watson

PUBLISHED:13:49 EST, 9 April 2013| UPDATED:09:50 EST, 10 April 2013

Thousands of Roman artefacts have been unearthed in an archaeological dig hailed as 'the most important excavation ever held in London'.

Archaeologists have found coins, pottery, shoes, lucky charms and an amber Gladiator amulet which date back almost 2,000 years.

Experts leading the excavation have also uncovered wooden structures from the 40s AD around 40ft beneath the ground.

The site is just yards from the River Thames and alongside a huge building project for new offices on Queen Victoria Street in the heart of London's financial district.

The Bloomberg Place construction site in the City financial district of London where archaeologists have discovered thousands of Roman artefacts

Archaeologists work to unearth Roman artifacts. The site, which was once home to the Roman Temple of Mithras and situated on the lost Walbrook stream, is to be the new headquarters of Bloomberg

A fragment of an ceramic beaker, dating from around the 1st century AD, among thousands of Roman artefacts unearthed

The discoveries have been so well preserved in the muddy waters of the lost Walbrook River that archaeologists have nicknamed the site 'the Pompeii of the North'.

Sadie Watson, the site director from the Museum of London Archaeology, said: 'Certainly the archaeology on this project so far is probably the most important excavation ever held within London, certainly within Roman London.

'The depth, the preservation, the extent of the archaeology - the entire Roman period is represented by fantastic buildings as well as artefacts.'

The three-acre site, which was once on the banks of the River Walbrook, is also home to the Temple of Mithras, discovered in the 1950s.

London's most important ever archaeological dig

Fascinating finds: Other items unearthed include this complete ceramic beaker with applied 'ring and dot' decoration (left) and an amber amulet in the shape of a gladiator's helmet (right)

Uncovered: A ceramic oil lamp depicting a stag (left) and a selection of Roman pins (right)

Artifact: A lead or tin plaque depicting a bull, which could be a representation of the zodiac symbol Taurus

It has offered experts an unprecedented glimpse into life in the bustling centre of Roman Londinium.
Archaeologists from the museum were able to excavate the area when work to build the vast Bloomberg Place development began.

Since then around 10,000 accessioned finds have been discovered by 60 archaeologists - the largest haul of small finds to have ever been recovered on a single excavation in the capital.

Approximately 3,500 tonnes of soil have been excavated by hand, which is around 21,000 barrows full.

The discoveries have been so well preserved in the muddy waters of the lost Walbrook River that archaeologists have nicknamed the site 'the Pompeii of the North'

This site has provided the largest quantity of Roman leather to have ever been unearthed in the capital, including hundreds of shoes

More than 100 fragments of Roman writing tablets have been unearthed, while 700 boxes of pottery fragments will be analysed by specialists

More than 100 fragments of Roman writing tablets have been unearthed, while 700 boxes of pottery fragments will be analysed by specialists.

This site has provided the largest quantity of Roman leather to have ever been unearthed in the capital, including hundreds of shoes.

Sophie Jackson, from the museum, said: 'The site is a wonderful slice through the first four centuries of London's existence.

'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.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2306443/The-Bloomberg-Place-Construction-Site-Archaeological-dig-London-heralded-capitals-important-excavation.html#ixzz2Q5uPnZY0