Excavations in 1996-7 uncovered important new evidence for the
development of the eastern part of the Roman Londinium, as well as
medieval and later activity. Early Roman activity took place on sloping
ground near a minor tributary of a small stream, known as the Lorteburn
in the medieval period. First-century development included ditches and a
scatter of timber buildings. Boundaries were aligned with a nearby road
to the north-west of the site, and did not match the orientation of
either the forum to the west or the Colchester road to the north.
Development increased until interrupted by the Hadrianic fire. More
substantial stone buildings, reached by secondary alleys or paths, date
from the mid 2nd century onwards and include sunken rooms, good-quality
painted plaster interior decoration, and unusual ribbon pointing and
painted ashlar-effect rustication. A sunken-floored aisled building with
brick pier bases may have incorporated a warehouse. In the mid 3rd
century new masonry buildings were constructed on a different alignment.
The new complex included suites of heated rooms and a possible
bathhouse. Contemporary timber structures may have been outbuildings.
The site produced an important assemblage of late Roman pottery. The
Roman buildings were abandoned in the late 4th-century and their remains
sealed by 'dark earth'. Reoccupation was represented by 11th-century
rubbish pits and robbing of Roman masonry. The early 12th-century church
of St Katherine Coleman lay to the north of open ground and gardens up
to the 16th century. Post-Great Fire evidence included fortifications of
the rebuilt 18th-century church, vaults of the East India Company Tea
and Drug Warehouse and the Hambro synagogue.
