Previously unknown Roman fort found in the City of London
A previously unknown Roman fort has been found on Fenchurch Street in the City of London.
Research published by archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (Mola) has revealed the fort, built in AD63 as a "direct response to the sacking of London by the native tribal Queen of the Iceni, Boudica".
"The revolt razed the early Roman town to the ground in AD60/61 but until now little was understood about the Roman’s response to this devastating uprising," Mola said.
The excavations at Plantation Palace for British Land on Fenchurch Street exposed a rectangular fort that covered 3.7 acres.
The fort was built as a response to Boudica's attack (Source: Mola)
An impressive obstacle for would be attackers, the fort was constructed from timber and earthwork and had three metre high banks.
Running atop the bank was a ‘fighting platform’ fronted by a colossal palisade, with towers positioned at the corners of the gateways.
Mola states that the Roman army were experts in construction; proficiently sourcing local materials from nearby woods and even using debris from buildings burnt in the revolt. It is estimated that a fort of this size would have housed a cohort of approximately 500 men but could have been built by hand in a matter of weeks, perhaps with the help of captive Britons.