AOC Archaeology Group

AOC Archaeology recently undertook a series of archaeological investigations at Harper Road, (Symington House), London Borough of Southwark on behalf of RPS Planning and Development, Lovell Partnership Limited and developer, Family Mosaic Housing.

The earliest phase of activity identified dates to the prehistoric period, primarily consisting of residual worked flint and pottery sherds collected from later features. A complete Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age vessel was found in a Roman ditch. Also dating to this period was a perforated clay slab which was recovered from a post-medieval structural context. No satisfactory function for these enigmatic objects has yet been established.

Roman activity dates to the 2nd to 3rd-4th centuries and consisted of large linear ditches, dispersed pits and postholes and burials. Eleven Roman burials were identified and are likely to be part of the ‘Southern’ Roman cemetery of Londinium. Four graves contained grave goods in the form of complete vessels and/or hob nailed shoes.

 

The site appears to have been abandoned for the next 1400 years and was not reoccupied until the 17th century when a large ditch dating to the late 16th-17th century was excavated. The dating of the ditch might suggest that it was in use during the Civil War period, functioning as a defensive structure. The site appears to have been used for local agricultural or horticultural activities during the medieval or post-medieval period, as a system of shallow gullies were recorded crossing the site. The site was not heavily used again until the late post-medieval period when the area was used for the construction of circular brick-lined structures; either wells or soakaways, which would have serviced the local population. When these structures were no longer in use they became used for the deposition of domestic waste which included, pottery, household utensils, tobacco pipes, food waste and personal items.