Living and Working in Roman and Later London

Excavations at 60–63 Fenchurch Street

by Vaughan Birbeck and Jörn Schuster

ISBN 978-1-874350-52-1

Excavations in advance of redevelopment for a prestigious office building in the east of the City revealed 10 broad phases of activity, ranging between the pre-Roman and post-medieval periods, with a focus on the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.

Roman Fenchurch Street follows the line of earlier ditches. For the first time, the entire width of the Roman road has been exposed, permitting adjustment of its course in the street plan of Londinium. Iron pipe collars demonstrate water management along the street and to the rear of the 2 plots identified on site. The 17 Roman buildings (later 1st–3rd century AD) show mixed domestic and commercial/industrial uses, including metalworking and butchery.

Although disturbed by modern buildings, later Roman finds recovered from medieval and post-medieval pits indicate continuity of activity, but there is a genuine lack of Saxon occupation. A peculiar deposition of animal bone in a medieval pit may provide evidence for ritual/magic practices.

Comparison with the adjacent site of Lloyd’s Register demonstrates the considerable differences that can occur in the occupation history of two adjacent sites. The volume includes reports on the finds and environmental assemblages.

Find out more about the excavations at Fenchurch Street, London.