Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – Archaeologists have recently confirmed the durability of ancient Roman roads with a significant discovery. A well-preserved section of a 2,000-year-old Roman road was found south of the junction between Old Kent Road and Ilderton Road in London, UK.
Archaeologists discovered a section of Britain’s important Roman road beneath London’s Old Kent Road, 2,000 years after it was built. Credit: Museum of London Archaeology
This find emerged during preliminary work by Southwark Council and Veolia to extend low-carbon heating to an additional 3,000 council homes along Old Kent Road. The excavation for Southwark’s low-carbon heat network allowed archaeologists to monitor the site for potential discoveries.
A team from MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology), working on behalf of Veolia and archaeological consultant RPS, with assistance from Southwark Council’s archaeology officer, Dr. Chris Constable, uncovered this section where they had anticipated its presence. This marks the first physical evidence that parts of the ancient Watling Street route lie directly beneath today’s Old Kent Road.
The uncovered road segment measures 5.8 meters in width and 1.4 meters in height, revealing distinct construction layers: a solid foundation made from compacted gravel topped by two layers of chalk. Although the original surface likely aligned with today’s road level, it has eroded over time.
The road consists of three layers: compacted gravel, two layers of chalk, and a top layer of compacted gravel and sand. Credit: Museum of London Archaeology
Watling Street was constructed shortly after Rome’s invasion of Britain in AD 43. While archaeologists had an approximate idea of its location, pinpointing its exact path proved challenging until now. The recent discovery during excavation for Southwark Council and Veolia’s project provides definitive proof of Watling Street beneath Old Kent Road.
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Dr. Chris Constable noted that while planning this project aimed to resolve questions about the road’s location, its remarkable state was unexpected. A sign on nearby Old Kent Road bridge will commemorate this important finding.
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
