Introduction to Roman Londinium?
For students, what is the most accessible archaeological site (and/or museum) for a brief (two-day) study of Roman Londinium?
Best Answer
Near the Museum of London is the City of London Guildhall Art Gallery... which happens to have a genuine Roman amphitheatre in its basement.
In 1988, Museum of London archaeologists made an astonishing discovery that changed the face of Roman London. The capital's only Roman amphitheatre was located in Guildhall Yard, during an archaeological dig taking place in preparation for the new Art Gallery building project. In 2002, the doors to the amphitheatre opened for the first time in nearly 2,000 years.
You can enjoy free entry to the amphitheatre as part of your visit to the Guildhall Art Gallery.
Requires some imagination - it's not exactly intact - but it's the real deal. Very occasionally it's used for events including theatre productions, but that's very rare.
Be aware that with building work in the area, a lot of archeology is being done on old Roman sites, and a lot of interesting stuff is being found, including whole streets - though naturally this isn't usually open to the public. Much of the archiving and analysis is done at the Museum of London, who may be able to answer questions on it.
There's also a Roman Britain section at the (free) British Museum.
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Why was Londinium important to the Romans?
It was originally a settlement established on the current site of the City of London around AD 47\u201350. It sat at a key crossing point over the River Thames which turned the city into a road nexus and major port, serving as a major commercial centre in Roman Britain until its abandonment during the 5th century.What is the meaning of Londinium?
An ancient settlement in the area of modern London.How was Londinium founded?
The Romans founded London as Londinium in 47 AD, later building a bridge over the River Thames and establishing the settlement as a port with roads leading to other outposts in Roman Britain.Why is it called Londinium?
Many historians believe that the city's current name comes from Londinium, a name that was given to the city when the Romans established it in 43 AD. The suffix "-inium" is thought to have been common among the Romans. Other names used included Londinio, Londiniesi, and Londiniensium.Roman London: 55BC to 5th Century AD
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