Roman Waterfront Development at 12 Arthur Street, City of London
Author: Dan Swift
Publisher: Mola (Museum of London Archaeology)
Published: 2008
Total Pages: 100
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThis study brings to light new evidence for the Claudian waterfront and construction of the terracing along the natural slope of the riverbank. Post-Boudican and Hadrianic developments included the construction of two, more solid, timber quays built in c A.D. 70-80/3 and subsequently in c A.D. 120 as tidal regression generally hastened the decline of the port. The remains of major buildings include a possible early bathhouse as well as 1st- to mid 3rd-century A.D. high-status buildings with hypocausts, paved floors, mosaics and painted wall plaster. One of these may be part of a building previously recorded at the adjacent site of Suffolk House, where it was interpreted as a goldsmith's premises. Other buildings at Arthur Street are interpreted as high-status residential complexes or townhouses. Alongside the buildings was a large well containing the remarkably well-preserved elements of an elaborate rotary water-lifting device consisting of the wooden buckets and Iron linking chain.