Tabard Square, 34-70 Long Lane, 31-47 Tabard Street
TQ 3264 7968; (Douglas Killock); excavation; September 2002 - July 2003 LLS02
Natural gravels were observed at between 0.95m OD and -0.45m OD.
Due to the large nature of the site, over 1-hectare, the excavation is being undertaken in phases. The site also contains prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval sequences that are not being considered here.
On completion of the medieval and post-medieval sequences a large west central area was mechanically reduced to just above the top of the Roman horizon. Excavation of deep intrusive post-medieval features continued by careful cleaning of the whole area.
At the west central area of the site, close to Tabard Street some impressive clay and timber building remains have been recorded representing various styles of construction. Some of the rooms were probably habitation areas, but others may have fulfilled a more commercial function. One contained the bases of ceramic vessels.
Occasional cremation burials were recorded to the rear of the properties.
Towards the centre of the excavation area the ground plan of a major masonry building was recovered, although none of the masonry survived later quarrying. Maximum dimensions of the building are 24m in length and 10m in width. On the west side the walls were supplemented by square buttresses themselves founded on timber piled foundations. The plan and size suggest a small winged corridor structure, possibly similar to that excavated recently at Radlands Farm in Stanwick, Northants.
Succeeding the clay buildings was one originally of stone, although all that actually remained were the robber trenches. The north east corner of what is being interpreted as a Romano-Celtic temple was present within the excavation. The corridor, or ambulatory was 2.3m wide but original floor levels did not survive. Typically these buildings were square with the outside dimensions being between 10 and 20m in length. Surrounding the structure was an expanse of gravels.
Between the two buildings and from the most innocuous looking pit came the most sensational find, one of the most important from Roman London for many years. Lying in the base of the pit was part of a white marble inscription. One interpretation of its meaning is:
To the spirits of the emperors (and) the god Mars Camulos,
Tiberinius Celerianus, ranking moritex of the (traders) of London, set this up.
Epigraphists are however still attempting to decipher its deeper meaning!
As the 'Londiniensium' inscription had a dedication to the Romano-Celtic deity Mars Camulos, it would seem likely that the plaque originated from the putative temple rather than the villa.
Excavations in the east central area demonstrated that throughout much of the sites history the ground has been wet and was managed with large open ditches. A major Roman ditch had been revetted on its south side, but the revetting had collapsed into the feature. A tree trunk was also located demonstrating that the feature had not been maintained continuously.
Underlying the Roman deposits is a decayed peat horizon and sands. Flint tools and pot sherds testify to prehistoric activities although material of this date is not as frequent as was anticipated.
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