London, large Roman mosaic discovered in Southwark district

A large Roman mosaic has been discovered in London’s Southwark district, a short distance from London Bridge.According to archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), the authors of the discovery, this is the largest Roman mosaic discovered in the area of the British capital in the past fifty years. The discovery came as part of the excavation of a London public transportation project.

The large mosaic includes two decorated panels arranged in a floor bordered with red tiles. According to MOLA archaeologists, it is most likely the floor mosaic of a dining room. The work features floral (there are also lotus blossoms) and geometric decorations (including the so-called “Solomon’s knot”), with elaborate motifs, so far with no other matches in the English capital.

“For London, this is a once-in-a-lifetime discovery,” Antonietta Lerz, archaeologist in charge of the excavation, told the BBC, which first reported the news. “It was a privilege to work on such a large site where Roman archaeology is largely undisturbed by later activities. When the first flashes of color began to emerge through the ground, everyone on site was excited.” The large mosaic could be dated to the second or third century AD, according to experts. It is located on the site of what was a sumptuous mansion in the environs of Londinium, Roman London: probably, according to MOLA, it was a mansio, or high-ranking post station available to high dignitaries traveling on official assignments.

The museum has let it be known that the mosaic will be carefully analyzed by a team of expert restorers before being transported off-site so that more detailed conservation work can be carried out. Future plans for public display of the mosaic are currently being finalized.

London, large Roman mosaic discovered in Southwark district

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