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The Last Roman in London? |
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The Last Roman in London? |
A new exhibition which runs until 8 August 2007 at the Museum of London is devoted to the finds from an archaeological dig at St Martins in the Field Church, Trafalgar Square, including a stone sarcophagus (pictured right) containing the skeleton of a middle aged Roman man and exquisite Saxon grave goods ranging from AD410 to 600 — a period usually associated with the end of Roman Londinium and its later reincarnation as Saxon Lundenwic. Other items found during the excavation include a perfectly preserved gold pendant, a pristine glass cup (shown above) and a rare copper hanging bowl with an enamelled motif. The man’s coffin suggest he was a man of considerable wealth and standing and that ‘he appears to be a man out of time and out of place’. Was he one of the last Romans in London? As a result of this find, the history of London may have to be re-written, as it suggests an element of continuation between the Roman and Saxon periods. The site may have had a sacred significance which helps explain why St Martins in the Field Church was built in this particular place. Museum of London, London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN, nearest underground station is Barbican, open: Mon–Sat 10.00am–5.50pm, Sun 12.00–5.50pm, Last admission 5.30pm, free, tel: 0870 444 3851, email: info@museumoflondon.org.uk, www.museumoflondon.org.uk. |
28 May 2007 |
