This rare piece of history was discovered just a stone’s throw from Borough Market and London Bridge station, said the Museum of London Archeology (MOLA).
The remains of the structure at the Liberty of Southwark site have an ‘astonishing level of preservation’, making it the most intact Roman mausoleum ever to be discovered in Britain, according to MOLA.
The tomb was excavated after the Roman mosaics were discovered at the site last February.
The remains of the tomb include the walls, entrance steps and interior flooring. At its centre is another striking mosaic surrounded by a raised platform on which the burials were placed.
There’s evidence of a second mosaic directly beneath the first, indicating that it was raised during its lifetime. The two mosaics are similar, with a central flower surrounded by concentric circles.
The archaeological investigations were led by MOLA on behalf of Landsec and Transport for London (TfL) which owns the site, and Southwark council.
The ‘completely unique’ tomb was probably used as some form of burial ground for wealthier members of society.
While no coffins or burial remains were found, more than 100 coins, scrap pieces of metal, fragments of pottery and some roofing tiles were recovered.
The area surrounding the mausoleum contained more than 80 Roman burials, including copper bracelets, glᴀss beads, coins, pottery and even a bone comb.
‘This relatively small site in Southwark is a microcosm for the changing fortunes of Roman London – from the early phase of the site where London expands and the area has lavishly decorated Roman buildings, all the way through to the later Roman period when the settlement shrinks and it becomes a more quiet space where people remember their ᴅᴇᴀᴅ,’ said Antonietta Lerz, senior archaeologist at MOLA.
‘It provides a fascinating window into the living conditions and lifestyle of this part of the city in the Roman period.’
The site is being redeveloped as The Liberty of Southwark, a complex of offices, homes and shops but work on creating a permanent display of the tomb is planned, said the team behind the find.
