‘Once in a lifetime’ discovery of Roman mosaic found near the Shard

Virgin Radio

24 Feb 2022, 12:31

History nerds will no doubt be thrilled at this latest discovery. 

An incredible Roman mosaic has been found near London’s Shard, in Southwark, and archaeologists believe it’s a ‘once in a lifetime’ find.

Experts at the site think it was once the floor to an elaborate dining room, and it features stunning flowers and geometric designs. 

It’s thought the mosaic is the largest of its kind in the Capital in more than 50 years. 

The dining room floor may have been part of a roman ‘mansio’, which would be a type of upmarket motel that offered a place to stay, some stabling and dining facilities for state couriers and officials travelling to and from the city. 

The excavations were taking place before construction on a new cultural quarter in the Southwark area began.

The mosaic will be recorded and assessed before being transported away to safety, and more precise conservation work can then be carried out.

Experts from the Museum of London Archaeology, otherwise known as MOLA, say it’s a generation-defining discovery. 

Antonietta Lerz, MOLA site supervisor told Metro: “It has been a privilege to work on such a large site where the Roman archaeology is largely undisturbed by later activity – when the first flashes of colour started to emerge through the soil everyone on site was very excited.”

Currently, the mosaic is made up of two sections. The larger of the two measures 5m x 3.5m and has flowers surrounded by bands of intertwining strands. This is more commonly known as a guilloche.

The smaller of the two sections is much more simple, with two examples of a pattern known as Solomon’s knot, with two flowers and geometric patterns in red, white and black.