Romans were reportedly anxious, evident in the defensive wall they built thousands of years ago. The London Wall was designed to protect the city from possible invaders.
London Wall Unearthed
Three additional pieces of an ancient Roman wall that was constructed along the Thames River approximately 2,000 years ago have been discovered by archaeologists. The "Riverside Wall" formerly completed the outside boundary of the more well-known "London Wall," which encircles the city's inland core.
The barricade is believed to have been built to defend London, or "Londinium," as it was known at the time, against tribal uprisings. The newly dug portions of the Riverside Wall are located by Riverbank House on Upper Thames Street and Sugar Quay and Three Quays on Lower Thames Street, Daily Mail reported.
They comprise roughly 330 feet (100 meters) of the nearly 6,000 feet (1,800 ft) wall separating London from the Thames.
The Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) made the initial discoveries between 2006 and 2016 while renovating Upper and Lower Thames Street.
As scheduled monuments, they have been included on the National Heritage List for England, according to the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport and Historic England.
"Even in a really crowded city like London, built up for nearly two centuries, there are still surprises to be uncovered right beneath our feet," said Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England.
The riverfront wall is still a fascinating aspect of Roman London that nearly provokes more questions than it does.
The Riverside Wall would have cut off London's access to the quayside's wharves and warehouses.
What Did the Riverside Wall Reveal About the Romans?
A "time of uncertainty" was evident throughout the greater Roman Empire, according to Wilson, who claimed that the wall's structure demonstrated that worried Romans prioritized security over trade. According to him, they acknowledge their national significance by including these locations on the National Heritage List. Also, by doing so, they can closely manage their conservation to remain part of London's rich history.
The London Wall, up to 20 feet (6 m) high and 10 feet (3 m) thick in some places, was built from Kentish ragstone that was transported over from Maidstone.
It once covered around 330 acres and was about 2 miles (3.1 km) long, but most of it has been destroyed over the past 1,700 years as the city has expanded.
The wall may have contributed to enhancing Londinium's prominence. In addition to providing protection - the Riverside Wall creates a protective ring around the entire city.
The understanding of the architecture during the said period is improved by some portions of the Riverside Wall that use recycled massive masonry and show how ancient Roman construction methods were utilized.
The Riverside Wall's three portions have all been preserved underground, below contemporary structures. Protection has also been given to this well-preserved wooden dock and quay constructions from the Roman and Medieval eras.
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