After reading this title you’re probably asking yourself – why on earth would one consider a marketplace to be the most important ancient spot in London? London certainly has finds that lend more to the imagination. The Temple of Mithras was dedicated to the Persian god of light and the sun, Gladiators duelled in out in the Roman Amphitheatre, – and if we’re willing to look outside of London – Colchester had a Roman circus that has just been saved.
So why did I choose a marketplace as my answer the question posed by Bloggers Challenge 2?
The history of Southwark is just as integral to the story of Britain’s great capital on the River Thames as that of the City of London itself. There was major settlement there in the Roman era, based around the endpoint of Roman London Bridge. After a long phase of abandonment following Roman withdrawal from Britain in 410, Southwark was re-established during the Anglo-Saxon period, circa 886, and became what many people often refer to as “London’s first suburb.”
Highlighted Quote:
“Imagine you were an estate agent – 'cor blimey mate, riverside moorings, bridge crossing, ten minutes walk from the city – they’re all going to be coming in!'”
Southwark is a Borough of South-East London, with a history almost as long as that of the City of London itself. It is commonly referred to as "London's first suburb."
As the landing point of Roman London bridge, it had an obvious importance in Roman times - indeed, at Tabard Street in Southwark in 2004, a plaque was discovered with the earliest reference to "London" from the Roman period on it. However, Southwark probably wasn't considered as a distinct entity from Roman Londinium during this era - rather, it was simply Londinium's southern extremity. Evidence from the Roman period suggests Southwark was burned to the ground during Boudicca's revolt in 61 AD.
At its peak during the 2nd century AD, Roman London (Londinium) had a population of up to 60,000 people and represented a thriving urban centre. But as the Roman Empire declined over the next 300 years, so too did the city. In 410, Britain was cut loose from the Empire altogether, and with it London. Troops and officials departed, and the city was left to fend for itself.
Exactly what happened during the immediately ensuing phase in London’s history – which is referred to as the Sub-Roman period, and lasted from approximately 450 until 600 AD – is mysterious. A small enclave of wealthy families is believed to have continued to inhabit villas to the southeast of the Roman city into the 5th century. But by the end of the 5th century, they – along with almost everyone else – had left. London was abandoned.
Highlighted Quote:
“They were able to get close enough to London Bridge to attach lines to its piers, then row so powerfully away from the fragile structure that it came crashing down into the river. The nursery rhyme London Bridge Is Falling Down is said to originate from this incident.”
A number of timbers which can be seen jutting from the base of the River Thames at Vauxhall in central London have been identified by archaeologists as the remnants of a wooden structure that stood at the site in the Bronze Age. Most likely it was some kind of large wooden platform, probably a bridge leading out to a small island in the middle of the Thames. It's age - 3,500 years - would therefore make it London's very first bridge.
The timbers have only been revealed in the last couple of decades, as the river has eroded the bank in which they're buried. Archaeologists were alerted to their possible significance when two bronze spear heads - dating from the same period as the timbers - were located driven into the bank nearby. A short archaeological investigation was conducted in 2000 as part of the Channel 4 programme Time Team.
While it was only able to remove one timber from the site - a large post - due to a narrow timeframe, enough evidence was gathered to conclude that a large structure did stand there, and that as well as representing a crossing-point, the bridge also served a ritual function. It was the spot from which Bronze Age people were able to make votive offerings to the gods of the river, by throwing precious items such as spearheads into the water.
Over a 17 year period Greenhalgh created fake art pieces that fooled museum experts and sold for sums as high as six figures. Sentenced in 2007 he is currently serving a four year prison sentence. His parents Olive and George Greenhalgh, who assisted in his activities, were given suspended sentences – they were both in their 80s when tried.
Submitted by Jon Himoff on Mon, 01/04/2010 - 16:13
Heritage Key is off to a busy start in 2010 and we are pleased to announce our exciting new web event and content series the Ancient World in London. Starting at the end of January 2010, the project is sponsored exclusively by Addison Lee, London's largest minicab service. During 3 months online we will inspire people to set out for adventures and make their own great historical discoveries either live in London or online.
After reading this title you’re probably asking yourself – why on earth would one consider a marketplace to be the most important ancient spot in London? London certainly has finds that lend more to the imagination. The 
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