Museum of London Archaeology specialist Han Li lays out plaster fragments found in London from a Roman building that was demolished some time before A.D. 200.
©MOLA/Museum of London Archaeology
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©MOLA/Museum of London Archaeology
LONDON — A remarkable archaeological endeavor in the heart of the British capital has brought to light one of the most extensive collections of painted Roman wall plaster ever unearthed in the city.
Thousands of vibrant fragments, which once adorned a high-status Roman building, offer an unprecedented glimpse into the artistic sophistication and daily life of ancient Londinium, and their rearrangement is showcasing artworks that have remained hidden for over 1,800 years.
The discovery, made at “The Liberty” development site in the city’s Southwark neighborhood, builds upon previous significant finds in the area, including intricate mosaics and a rare Roman mausoleum.
The sheer volume of the plaster fragments, however, was not immediately apparent to archaeologists.
The material was found discarded in a sizable pit, shattered as a consequence of Roman-era demolition activities that occurred before A.D. 200.
Experts say that reassembling the fragments of ancient frescoes was a monumental task, similar to solving a massive historical puzzle. Leading this effort was Han Li, a senior specialist at the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), who spent three months meticulously piecing together the fragments. The result is a stunning restoration that allows these ancient frescoes to be seen in their original splendor for the first time in nearly two millennia. Li described the experience as a ‘once in a lifetime’ moment, filled with excitement and nervousness. The recovered artworks depict bright yellow panel designs adorned with motifs of birds, fruit, flowers, and lyres. These designs were a common feature in Roman wall decoration, with yellow panels being a unique and unusual prevalence. The fragments provide valuable insights into Roman artistry and literacy, shedding light on this ancient civilization’s cultural and artistic practices. Archaeologists uncovered what is believed to be the first known example of a painter’s signature in Roman Britain among more than 120 boxes of painted plaster. Framed by a tabula ansata, the inscription includes the Latin word ‘FECIT,’ meaning “has made [this].” However, the artist’s name is missing, leaving their identity a mystery. Additionally, ancient graffiti found on the site includes a fragment featuring a nearly complete ancient Greek alphabet, the only known instance of such an inscription from Roman Britain. The frescoes show artistic influences from other parts of the Roman Empire, such as Germany and France, and mimic high-status wall tiles seen in various locations, including London, Colchester, and Pompeii. The Southwark plaster collection provides a unique opportunity to study Roman domestic art and the lives of its inhabitants. Ongoing research is being conducted by Han Li and his MOLA colleagues to analyze the work of these ancient painters.
As part of their research, the team will be conducting a detailed comparison of the Liberty wall paintings with similar examples from both Britain and the wider Roman world.
Once their analysis is complete, the team plans to publish their findings and preserve the fragments for future academic research. There are also intentions to eventually display these remarkable artistic remnants to the public, providing contemporary audiences with a glimpse into the artistic legacy of a past era.
