Archaeology and scheduled monuments

The northern part of Southwark has a wealth of Roman archaeology. The Romans settled on the banks of the Thames after AD 43. Londinium was the Roman provincial capital. It spanned the river and was focused on 2 large gravel islands in Southwark. These islands formed the southern bridgehead for the original Roman bridge. This area still corresponds to the London Bridge area today. 

Major roads were built to other Roman cities in the south of England. These include Watling Street to Canterbury (broadly the alignment of Tabard Street and the Old Kent Road) and Stane Street to Chichester (Swan Street and Kennington Park Road). 

Archaeologists have found remains of prestigious stone buildings. They have mosaic floors, hypocaust heating systems and elaborately painted wall frescos. Wooden jetties, warehouses and other remains of waterfront activities show that the Southwark riverside was a centre of trade, with close links to the rest of the Roman Empire.

South of Borough tube station the roman landscape was dominated by an expansive cemetery. Including a number of mausoleums, walled areas of graves and, presumably monuments lining the routes of Stane Street and Watling Street. The boundaries of this cemetery are defined partially by the roads, and the landscape of rivers in this part of the borough.

Other Roman sites include:

• the Romano-celtic temple at Tabard Place
• the Roman boat preserved under Guy’s Hospital
• the Bath House on Borough High Street
• the mausoleum, sarcophagus and remains of Stane Street at Swan Street/ Harper Road junction and the wider cemetery around Trinity Church Square
• the Mosaics and Mausoleum at Landmark Court/Liberty of Southwark
• many other key sites, including burial grounds, markets, wharfs and warehouse