The Dig at the Liberty of Southwark

The development team at The Liberty of Southwark are working with MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) and LB Southwark on an archaeological dig, ahead of the construction of new buildings. We know from excavations nearby during the 1980s and in 2005 that the site contains fascinating evidence of Southwark’s Roman history, including a ‘Mansio’ — a Roman building where travellers on official business for the Roman Empire would have stopped to rest on long journeys across Roman Britain and beyond.

Archaeologists will be recording evidence from mid-June until the end of 2021. As part of our commitment to share this work as widely as possible, we’ll be working with a group of local residents to create digital updates about the discoveries on site. We want to link what we find to Southwark and London’s wider history, as well as to the lives of local residents and workers today. As the project progresses, you’ll be able to find these updates on the Journal section of this website.

Discoveries

Southwark has been the site of a host of important discoveries that can not only give us an insight into to the everyday lives of Londoners of the past, but can also tell us something about the wider world they lived in. Head to the discoveries page to see more — alternatively you can visit the display on Redcross Street to experience the discoveries at a larger scale. Alongside this, journal section of this site will serve as a record of the new discoveries that are unearthed on the site as the project develops.

  • A window into Roman life in Southwark

    A window into Roman life in Southwark

    When you hop-off the train at London Bridge, wander around Borough Market, or gaze up at The Shard, do you ever wonder what this part of London used to look like? Well, archaeologists from MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) have been leading excavations at the site set to become The Liberty of Southwark cultural quarter…

  • Roman mosaic uncovered at the Liberty of Southwark

    Roman mosaic uncovered at the Liberty of Southwark

    Archaeologists from MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) have uncovered an incredibly well-preserved mosaic that once decorated the floor of a Roman dining room. Discovered a stone’s throw away from The Shard, experts have determined this to be the largest area of Roman mosaic found in London for over 50 years. Excavations on the site have…

  • First of its kind Roman mausoleum unearthed at London development site.

    First of its kind Roman mausoleum unearthed at London development site.

    Following the discovery in February 2022 of some of the largest Roman mosaics found in London for over 50 years, further excavations at a new London development site have uncovered a Roman mausoleum described by experts as “completely unique.” The incredibly rare finds have been uncovered at The Liberty of Southwark site, a stone’s throw…

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