Three sections of a huge but little-known Roman wall, discovered under the City of London, have been given protected status as scheduled national monuments. The riverside wall was a once vast stone structure that formed part of the defences of Roman London and was built in the third century AD along the Thames. During excavations by Mola between 2006 and 2016, three substantial new stretches were discovered and have now been added to the National Heritage List for England.
The protection includes several exceptionally preserved wooden wharf and quay structures from both the Roman and medieval periods. These findings could be further explored in 40 or 50 years given the frequent redevelopment of sites in the City.
The Roman Empire erected a significant riverside wall to protect Londinium's north foreshore on the River Thames from marauding tribes. Over time, traces of this impressive structure were first identified about half a century ago but eventually destroyed as London expanded.
Three significant sections of this river wall were uncovered by Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) during recent redevelopment work along Upper and Lower Thames Street. They are now sealed beneath modern office buildings with protective layers for preservation purposes.
Archaeologists suggest that besides its defensive purpose against potential attacks, this historic barrier may also have reinforced Londinium's status at that time. The newly-excavated Riverside Wall incorporated reused monumental masonry together with ancient civil engineering techniques from both Rome itself as well as those prevalent during medieval times throughout Britain; thus offering invaluable insights into architectural heritage unique to each era within one single location spanning centuries apart!
"This discovery highlights how much more there is still left to learn about our past," said Dr Emily Gee, Head Curator at Historic England while announcing these latest additions onto their prestigious list containing other similarly important archaeological finds nationwide over recent decades too – all aiming towards ensuring continued public access whenever possible alongside adequate protection measures overall against potential future harm such as theft or vandalism etc.
The newly-excavated sections of the Riverside Wall are located by Riverbank House on Upper Thames Street, and Sugar Quay and Three Quays on Lower Thames Street. They make up about 330 feet (100 m) of the nearly 6,000-foot-long (1,800 m) wall which sealed off London from the Thames. Constructed using Kentish ragstone imported from Maidstone area in Kent county down south-eastern England coastline today; some segments were found standing an impressive height reaching up to 20 feet (6m), while also being around a solid 10-feet thick(3m)!