A portion of the Roman Watling Street, a significant Roman road in Britain, has been found in Southwark after being buried for 2,000 years. The road connected the Roman port of Dover to London and the West Midlands, linking Britain to the rest of the Roman Empire.
Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) made the discovery while excavating the Old Kent Road as part of a project to expand the borough’s low carbon heat network. This finding provides concrete evidence that parts of the ancient road still exist beneath the modern road.
Dave Taylor, the MOLA project manager, expressed amazement at the road’s preservation after centuries of various activities and constructions taking place above it. The straight nature of Roman roads helped archaeologists locate the buried road, but finding physical evidence of its existence had been challenging until now.
The uncovered section of Watling Street is well-preserved, measuring 5.8 meters wide and 1.4 meters high. The layers of construction materials found at the site indicate how the road was built, with a solid gravel foundation sealed by chalk and topped with sand and gravel. The original road surface likely matched the modern road’s level but had been lost over time.
Cllr Helen Dennis, responsible for new homes and sustainable development, highlighted the historical significance of Old Kent Road and the importance of uncovering its past while moving towards a greener future. The discovery will be commemorated with a sign on the Old Kent Road bridge.
This finding adds to our understanding of Roman presence in Britain and sheds light on the ancient road network that connected different parts of the country. It also underscores the importance of preserving historical sites amidst urban development and infrastructure projects. The Roman road’s discovery in Southwark serves as a reminder of the rich history that lies beneath the surface of modern cities.
