Sections of Roman wall in London given protected status

Three sections of a large Roman wall discovered under the City of London have been given protected status as scheduled national monuments. The wall is believed to have been built in the 3^rd Century along the River Thames and connected to the city’s landward fortifications, large sections of which still exist today.

The latest sections were discovered during excavations by the Museum of London Archaeology and have now been added to the National Heritage List for England, which means they have been designated as nationally important sites and given protection from development.

Speaking to reporters, the Chief Executive of Historic England said: “Even in a really dense city like London, built up over 2000 years, there are still mysteries to be revealed right beneath our feet. The riverside wall remains an intriguing element of Roman London which raises almost as many questions as it answers. The construction of the riverside wall cut off the once bustling port, but why? It seems to suggest a major move towards defence at a time of uncertainty for the Roman provinces.”

One section of the wall runs between what is now Blackfriars station and the Tower of London. The wall incorporates reused stones that had previously been Roman monuments, indicating building techniques of the time.  Another 20 metre stretch of wall was discovered at what is now Upper Thames Street near London bridge, alongside timber Roman quays which would have been used for loading and unloading cargo from boats. Two further sections of the wall were found further east.

All stretches of the wall have been left as they are and are now under modern buildings.