Discovering the Port of Roman London - Dr Gustav Milne | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Archaeological evidence reveals the discovery and development of the port of London, its prosperity in the first and second centuries, its decline in the late Roman period, and eventual abandonment due to political, environmental, and invasions factors.

Key Insights

• 🪈 Historians have limited historical records of Roman London, relying heavily on archaeological evidence to understand its history.
• 👷 The first archaeological evidence of the port of London was found in the early 20th century when a Roman ship was discovered during construction.
• 🤩 Excavations throughout the years uncovered more evidence of the port, including timber key structures and additional ship fragments.
• 🥺 Redevelopment of the London waterfront led to extensive excavations, providing insights into the location and development of the Roman port.
• 😮 The rise and prosperity of the port in the first and second centuries were followed by a decline in the late Roman period, ultimately leading to its abandonment.
• 🧑‍🏭 Political changes, environmental shifts, and invasions by the Anglo-Saxons were factors that contributed to the port's decline and disappearance.
• 🚙 The story of the port of London parallels the development and decline of the 19th-century port, serving as a reflection of history repeating itself.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did the discovery of a Roman ship in the basement of County Hall contribute to understanding the port of London?

The discovery of the ship in 1910-1911 provided the first archaeological evidence of the port's existence, but it did not reveal the location or extent of the port. It prompted further excavations and research to understand the full story.

Q: What evidence was found to determine the location of the port of London?

Excavations in the 1930s, 1950s, and 1960s uncovered fragments of ships and timber key structures at various sites along the waterfront, such as Blackfriars and Custom House. These findings, combined with other discoveries, helped archaeologists map out the port's location.

Q: Why did the redevelopment of the London waterfront lead to the discovery of the Roman port?

The redevelopment, which involved demolishing old warehouses due to changes in shipping practices, opened up large areas for excavation. This, in turn, allowed archaeologists to explore deep sites and uncover the remains of the Roman port.

Q: What factors led to the decline and abandonment of the port of London?

Several factors contributed to the decline, including political changes that diminished London's importance, environmental shifts that altered the tidal range of the Thames, and invasions by the Anglo-Saxons. Ultimately, the port and the entire town were abandoned.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The historical records of Roman London have very limited references, making archaeological evidence crucial for understanding the port's history.

• Excavations in the early 20th century uncovered the remains of a Roman ship, providing the first archaeological evidence of the port's existence.

• Additional discoveries over the years, including timber key structures and more sunken ships, helped archaeologists pinpoint the location and extent of the port.