 | By: Peter Marsden Binding: Hardcover Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd ISBN: 0500250731 ISBN-13: 9780500250730 Released: 01 Mar 1981 RRP: Average Rating:  |
To this end, Marsden is pleased that, in his words, 'London has always had a problem disposing of its rubbish.' This means that much of the old is still there, just under the newer. When speaking of London in Roman times (and, indeed, in most pre-Victorian times), London consists of the one-square mile area known today at The City; places that are now boroughs of modern London, such as Westminster & Hampstead, were in fact separate towns.
London began as an outpost for the invasion forces brought over by Claudius & reinforced successively by future emperors & Roman military commanders. It became one of the permanent settlements for the Roman hierarchy, eventuallly reaching a status of such importance that major structures such as a defensive walll would be constructed.
Marsden covers a great deal of recent archaeological excavation around London, looking for traces of the old Roman city. A complicating factor is that under modern London is not only Roman London, but also Saxon London, Norman London, Tudor London, etc. One of the earliest archaeological excavations actuallly dates back considerably in history itself -- 1385, when the mayor & aldermen ordered some older structures to be unburied to determine an ancient right-of-way claim.
The real development of knowledge about Roman London, according to Marsden, comes in the post-World War II period, when building & reconstruction flourished. Much of this work was still unpublished at the time of Marsden's book's printing; sadly, much of it remains unpublished some 20 years later. However, as Marsden points out, the excavation, cataloguing & analysis of archaeological data about Roman London is an continuing programme, so no definitive final statement can yet be made.
Marsden's text is rich with photographs, maps, line-art drawings, charts & graphs. Marsden leaves nothing to chance -- soil substrata structures, modern versus ancient building techniques & materials, maps, coins, household/business items, even linguistic & written fragments are used to piece together a history of the place. From the earliest times of the invasion camp come artifacts such as a soldier's bronze helmet, swords & sheaths, & remnants of some of the earliest Roman roads in Britain. These show that the site of the current London Bridge has been a crossing site since the earliest Romans (circa 50 AD/CE), but that a crossing closer to the current Westminster Bridge probably predated that by half a decade.
The earliest city structures included a palace, a forum, a fort, & several public baths. These seemed to be in place a mere decade following the invasion force, with Tacitus referencing Londinium as a place full of traders & a great centre of commerce.
Londinium suffered from wide-spread fires (a threat to the city that continues through to World War II, but is perhaps most dramaticallly expressed in the great fire of 1666). There were at least two great fires of Londinium, one in the year 60 & the other in about 125-130. The ashes & char from these remain on layers to this day.
Marsden's book is quite interesting, but especiallly for those who have an archaeological frame of mind. There are pictures & illustrations on virtuallly every page, & there is a good index & bibliographic notes to increase the usefulness of the text. Marsden covers social structures, architecture, military & economic concerns, & general historical development of the city in connection with analysis of the archaeological finds.
Full marks!
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