A rare Roman sarcophagus unearthed in London is going on display for the first time this week.
The stone sarcophagus is only the third of its kind to be found in the capital in two decades and will be displayed at a museum alongside the 1,600-year-old remains of the woman who was buried inside.
Alongside her remains researchers found the alongside the bones of a baby, a fragment of gold that may have been an earring and a gemstone engraved with a satirical scene.
'Southwark sarcophagus' to go on display: Roman tomb containing 1,600-year-old bones of a wealthy woman and her gold will be showcased in London tomorrow
The ancient stone sarcophagus is only the third of its kind to be found in the capital in the last two decades
It will be displayed at the Museum of London Docklands alongside the remains of its Roman occupant
Alongside her remains researchers found a fragment of gold and a gemstone engraved with a satirical scene
The three-month museum exhibition explores the beliefs, rituals, deaths and burials of ancient London
By Harry Pettit For Mailonline
24 May 2018
A rare Roman sarcophagus unearthed in London is going on display for the first time this week.
The stone sarcophagus is only the third of its kind to be found in the capital in two decades and will be displayed at a museum alongside the 1,600-year-old remains of the woman who was buried inside.
Alongside her remains researchers found the alongside the bones of a baby, a fragment of gold that may have been an earring and a gemstone engraved with a satirical scene.
Archaeologists believed the grave was broken into and robbed of most of its treasures in the 16th century.
The 'Southwark sarcophagus' is going on display at the Museum of London Docklands Friday as part of its three-month Roman Dead exhibition exploring the beliefs, rituals, deaths and burials of ancient London.
A rare Roman sarcophagus unearthed in London is going on display for the first time this week. The stone sarcophagus (pictured top after it was found last year) is only the third of its kind to be found in the capital in two decades and will be displayed at a museum alongside the 1,600-year-old remains of the woman who was buried inside (bottom)
The exhibition runs from May 25 to Oct 28 and is free to enter.
Archaeologists at the museum made a number of finds during their research into the stone receptacle and its ancient occupant.
Researchers discovered that the woman was in her 30s when she died.
Carbon dating of her bones showed that she had been buried between AD 86 and 328, although other dating evidence from the site suggested a burial date of AD 275-328.
The researchers confirmed an earlier theory that the sarcophagus was robbed of many of its treasures in antiquity.
Approximately a third of the remains are unaccounted for, and a crack in the heavy lid of the sarcophagus points towards a grave robbery in the 16th century.
The ancient soil that previously filled the inside of the coffin was carefully excavated and sieved.
Alongside her remains researchers found a fragment of gold that may have been an earring (pictured) and a gemstone engraved with a satirical scene
A tiny scrap of gold (top) was found, which may be the remains of an earring, perhaps worn by the woman or buried alongside her. A small gemstone (bottom), made from jasper and carved with a satyr - a mythological figure who is part human, part goat - was also found and would have originally been set into a ring
Known as the 'Southwark sarcophagus', the artefact is going on display at the Museum of London Docklands Friday as part of a three-month exhibition exploring the beliefs, rituals, deaths and burials of ancient London. Pictured is the artefact after it was cleaned in preparation for the exhibit
A tiny scrap of gold was found, which may be the remains of an earring, perhaps worn by the woman or buried alongside her.
A small gemstone, made from jasper and carved with a satyr - a mythological figure who is part human, part goat - was also found and would have originally been set into a ring.
The gemstone was already old when buried in the sarcophagus and as such was perhaps a family heirloom, suggesting the woman was a high status inhabitant of Roman London.
When it was discovered at a building site near London's Borough Mark in July 2017, researchers said Roman sarcophagus was buried near the 1,600-year-old remains of a baby.
Alongside the sarcophagus, the museum's curators have assembled over 250 objects for the new exhibition, including 11 skeletons from four ancient cemeteries that bordered Londinium. Pictured is a skull that is on display as part of the ehibit
Archaeologists believed the grave was broken into and robbed of most of its treasures in the 16th century. Pictured is a pendant of jet that is on display at the Museum of London exhibit
Archaeologists at the museum made a number of finds during their research into the stone receptacle and its ancient occupant. This image shows Roman grave goods found in London's Hooper street including a Jet jewellery
Archaeologists lifted the lid of the stone coffin shortly after it was found and discovered small bones and a broken Roman bracelet in the surrounding soil.
Because the sarcophagus was found in what was once a Roman burial ground, researchers could not be sure if the baby was buried with the woman or was part of a separate grave.
Cllr Peter John, the Leader of Southwark Council, said: 'This is a remarkable and exciting find. In Southwark we take our duty as custodians of the borough's rich, varied and important archaeological heritage very seriously.
This image shows a gold ring with gemstone, depicting two mice eating together, that is also part of the exhibit. The engravement is a reference to a scene described in Horace’s Satires
Researchers discovered that the woman was in her 30's when she died. Carbon dating of her bones showed that she had been buried between AD 86 and 328, although other dating evidence from the site suggested a burial date of AD 275-328. This image shows a Roman tombstone of a 10-year-old girl, Marciana
Pictured top is a pipe clay figurine, possibly a toy, found on Liverpool Street & Bishopsgate Street. Pictured bottom is an archaeologist examining one of the exhibit's Roman skulls
'This Roman sarcophagus is the find of a lifetime and a credit to the council's commitment to ensuring that the borough's history is properly conserved.'
The coffin was found several metres underground with its lid slid open on Swan Street after developers were told to pay for an archaeological dig on the site by Southwark council.
The council had asked developers to check the area for ancient finds before it went ahead with building new flats because of the site's proximity to two large Roman roads.
The researchers confirmed an earlier theory that the sarcophagus was robbed of many of its treasures in antiquity. Approximately a third of the remains are unaccounted for, and a crack in the heavy lid of the sarcophagus points towards a grave robbery in the 16th century. This image shows a jet Medusa pendent
When it was discovered at a building site near London's Borough Mark in July 2017, researchers said Roman sarcophagus was buried near the 1,600-year-old remains of an baby. Pictured are three Roman beakers
The coffin was found several metres underground with its lid slid open on Swan Street after developers were told to pay for an archaeological dig on the site by Southwark council. Pictured is museum curator Meriel with three Roman flasks
Strict rules on Roman burials, which had to be outside of town walls, meant the location was a prime spot for historical finds.
Archaeologists discovered the coffin six months into the dig as they were due to finish their search.
Alongside the sarcophagus and its contents, the museum's curators have assembled over 250 objects for the new exhibition, including 11 skeletons from four ancient cemeteries that bordered Londinium.
Archaeologists lifted the lid of the stone coffin shortly after it was found and discovered small bones and a broken Roman bracelet in the surrounding soil. The top image shows a clay-faced cremation pot. Pictured bottom is a glass cremation urn with lid, found in Southwark, London
Pictured are grave goods from an inhumation brual with exceptionally fine jet pendant necklace. They were found in Hopper Street, Back Church Lane, London, and date to AD 250-400
Cllr Peter John, the Leader of Southwark Council, said: 'This is a remarkable and exciting find. In Southwark we take our duty as custodians of the borough's rich, varied and important archaeological heritage very seriously. Pictured is a Millefiori glass dish
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE SARCOPHAGUS UNEARTHED IN LONDON'S BOROUGH MARKET?
An ancient Roman sarcophagus was excavated from a building site in London in July 2017.
The 1,600-year-old coffin, which was discovered near Borough Market in central London, was thought to contain the remains of a mother after the bones of a baby were found nearby.
Archaeologists lifted the lid of the stone coffin and found small bones and a broken Roman bracelet in the surrounding soil.
An ancient Roman sarcophagus was excavated from a building site in London in July 2017. The 1,600-year-old coffin, which was discovered near Borough Market in central London, was thought to contain the remains of a mother
The team behind the discovery are not certain the infant was buried with the coffin, however, as it appears to have been opened by grave robbers in an area that was used by the Romans as a burial ground.
They believe it was the coffin of a high status inhabitant of Roman London, but they will not know for sure until the bones and soil inside are tested and dated.
The coffin was found on Swan Street after the council told developers to pay for an archaeological dig on the site.
It was found several feet underground with its lid slid open.
The coffin was found on Swan Street (pictured) after the council told developers to pay for an archaeological dig on the site
The council had asked developers to check the area for ancient finds before it went ahead with building new flats because of the site's proximity to two large Roman roads.
Strict rules on Roman burials, which had to be outside of town walls, meant the location was a prime spot for historical finds.
Archaeologists discovered the coffin six months into the dig as they were due to finish their search.
They believe it was the coffin of a high status inhabitant of Roman London, but they will not know for sure until the bones and soil inside are tested and dated.
WHAT WILL THE ROMAN DEAD EXHIBITION AT THE MUSEUM OF THE DOCKLANDS INCLUDE?
The Southwark sarcophagus, which contained:
A woman's skeleton was found inside and carbon dating of her bones showed that she had been buried between AD 86 and 328.
A gold fragment, dated between AD 275 to 328.
The soil inside the coffin was carefully excavated and sieved. A tiny scrap of gold was found, which may be the remains of an earring, perhaps worn by the woman or buried alongside her.
An Intaglio, dated AD 100 to 200. This tiny gemstone is made from jasper and is carved with a satyr and would have originally been set into a ring. The gemstone was already old when buried and was likely a family heirloom.
Grave goods, including jewellery found within Roman burial sites across London:
A gold ring with intaglio. The gemstone on this ring shows two mice dining together.
A Medusa jet pendant. Jet was frequently used as a material for burial goods. It was thought to have magical properties and to protect the dead on their journey to the Underworld.
Inhumations, cremations and human remains of Londoners from across the Roman Empire:
Two small cremation urns and their contents found in Broad Street. These vessels are unusual because of their small size. Roman cremations may contain as little as 20 per cent of the cremated person.
The burial of a man in a wooden coffin. This is one of the best preserved Roman coffins found in London. The impressions of his ribs, spine and knee joints survive in the wood.
Mysterious burials showing unusual rituals and practices, now seen as disturbing to the modern eye:
Four skulls of men showing signs of violent death found in waterlogged pits near London Wall. The pits contained human remains from 40 people, mostly men aged between 18 and 35 years old. Many of their skulls showed signs of multiple blunt-and sharp-force traumas which had caused their deaths.
The burial of a female dog in her own grave with her skull missing. She was wearing a collar when she was buried. Was her decapitation and burial part of a mysterious ritual?
Read more: Rare Roman sarcophagus unearthed in London goes on display | Daily Mail Online
The stone sarcophagus is only the third of its kind to be found in the capital in two decades and will be displayed at a museum alongside the 1,600-year-old remains of the woman who was buried inside.
Alongside her remains researchers found the alongside the bones of a baby, a fragment of gold that may have been an earring and a gemstone engraved with a satirical scene.
'Southwark sarcophagus' to go on display: Roman tomb containing 1,600-year-old bones of a wealthy woman and her gold will be showcased in London tomorrow
The ancient stone sarcophagus is only the third of its kind to be found in the capital in the last two decades
It will be displayed at the Museum of London Docklands alongside the remains of its Roman occupant
Alongside her remains researchers found a fragment of gold and a gemstone engraved with a satirical scene
The three-month museum exhibition explores the beliefs, rituals, deaths and burials of ancient London
By Harry Pettit For Mailonline
24 May 2018
A rare Roman sarcophagus unearthed in London is going on display for the first time this week.
The stone sarcophagus is only the third of its kind to be found in the capital in two decades and will be displayed at a museum alongside the 1,600-year-old remains of the woman who was buried inside.
Alongside her remains researchers found the alongside the bones of a baby, a fragment of gold that may have been an earring and a gemstone engraved with a satirical scene.
Archaeologists believed the grave was broken into and robbed of most of its treasures in the 16th century.
The 'Southwark sarcophagus' is going on display at the Museum of London Docklands Friday as part of its three-month Roman Dead exhibition exploring the beliefs, rituals, deaths and burials of ancient London.
A rare Roman sarcophagus unearthed in London is going on display for the first time this week. The stone sarcophagus (pictured top after it was found last year) is only the third of its kind to be found in the capital in two decades and will be displayed at a museum alongside the 1,600-year-old remains of the woman who was buried inside (bottom)
The exhibition runs from May 25 to Oct 28 and is free to enter.
Archaeologists at the museum made a number of finds during their research into the stone receptacle and its ancient occupant.
Researchers discovered that the woman was in her 30s when she died.
Carbon dating of her bones showed that she had been buried between AD 86 and 328, although other dating evidence from the site suggested a burial date of AD 275-328.
The researchers confirmed an earlier theory that the sarcophagus was robbed of many of its treasures in antiquity.
Approximately a third of the remains are unaccounted for, and a crack in the heavy lid of the sarcophagus points towards a grave robbery in the 16th century.
The ancient soil that previously filled the inside of the coffin was carefully excavated and sieved.
A tiny scrap of gold (top) was found, which may be the remains of an earring, perhaps worn by the woman or buried alongside her. A small gemstone (bottom), made from jasper and carved with a satyr - a mythological figure who is part human, part goat - was also found and would have originally been set into a ring
A tiny scrap of gold was found, which may be the remains of an earring, perhaps worn by the woman or buried alongside her.
A small gemstone, made from jasper and carved with a satyr - a mythological figure who is part human, part goat - was also found and would have originally been set into a ring.
The gemstone was already old when buried in the sarcophagus and as such was perhaps a family heirloom, suggesting the woman was a high status inhabitant of Roman London.
When it was discovered at a building site near London's Borough Mark in July 2017, researchers said Roman sarcophagus was buried near the 1,600-year-old remains of a baby.
Archaeologists lifted the lid of the stone coffin shortly after it was found and discovered small bones and a broken Roman bracelet in the surrounding soil.
Because the sarcophagus was found in what was once a Roman burial ground, researchers could not be sure if the baby was buried with the woman or was part of a separate grave.
Cllr Peter John, the Leader of Southwark Council, said: 'This is a remarkable and exciting find. In Southwark we take our duty as custodians of the borough's rich, varied and important archaeological heritage very seriously.
Pictured top is a pipe clay figurine, possibly a toy, found on Liverpool Street & Bishopsgate Street. Pictured bottom is an archaeologist examining one of the exhibit's Roman skulls
'This Roman sarcophagus is the find of a lifetime and a credit to the council's commitment to ensuring that the borough's history is properly conserved.'
The coffin was found several metres underground with its lid slid open on Swan Street after developers were told to pay for an archaeological dig on the site by Southwark council.
The council had asked developers to check the area for ancient finds before it went ahead with building new flats because of the site's proximity to two large Roman roads.
Strict rules on Roman burials, which had to be outside of town walls, meant the location was a prime spot for historical finds.
Archaeologists discovered the coffin six months into the dig as they were due to finish their search.
Alongside the sarcophagus and its contents, the museum's curators have assembled over 250 objects for the new exhibition, including 11 skeletons from four ancient cemeteries that bordered Londinium.
Archaeologists lifted the lid of the stone coffin shortly after it was found and discovered small bones and a broken Roman bracelet in the surrounding soil. The top image shows a clay-faced cremation pot. Pictured bottom is a glass cremation urn with lid, found in Southwark, London
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE SARCOPHAGUS UNEARTHED IN LONDON'S BOROUGH MARKET?
An ancient Roman sarcophagus was excavated from a building site in London in July 2017.
The 1,600-year-old coffin, which was discovered near Borough Market in central London, was thought to contain the remains of a mother after the bones of a baby were found nearby.
Archaeologists lifted the lid of the stone coffin and found small bones and a broken Roman bracelet in the surrounding soil.
An ancient Roman sarcophagus was excavated from a building site in London in July 2017. The 1,600-year-old coffin, which was discovered near Borough Market in central London, was thought to contain the remains of a mother
The team behind the discovery are not certain the infant was buried with the coffin, however, as it appears to have been opened by grave robbers in an area that was used by the Romans as a burial ground.
They believe it was the coffin of a high status inhabitant of Roman London, but they will not know for sure until the bones and soil inside are tested and dated.
The coffin was found on Swan Street after the council told developers to pay for an archaeological dig on the site.
It was found several feet underground with its lid slid open.
The coffin was found on Swan Street (pictured) after the council told developers to pay for an archaeological dig on the site
The council had asked developers to check the area for ancient finds before it went ahead with building new flats because of the site's proximity to two large Roman roads.
Strict rules on Roman burials, which had to be outside of town walls, meant the location was a prime spot for historical finds.
Archaeologists discovered the coffin six months into the dig as they were due to finish their search.
They believe it was the coffin of a high status inhabitant of Roman London, but they will not know for sure until the bones and soil inside are tested and dated.
WHAT WILL THE ROMAN DEAD EXHIBITION AT THE MUSEUM OF THE DOCKLANDS INCLUDE?
The Southwark sarcophagus, which contained:
A woman's skeleton was found inside and carbon dating of her bones showed that she had been buried between AD 86 and 328.
A gold fragment, dated between AD 275 to 328.
The soil inside the coffin was carefully excavated and sieved. A tiny scrap of gold was found, which may be the remains of an earring, perhaps worn by the woman or buried alongside her.
An Intaglio, dated AD 100 to 200. This tiny gemstone is made from jasper and is carved with a satyr and would have originally been set into a ring. The gemstone was already old when buried and was likely a family heirloom.
Grave goods, including jewellery found within Roman burial sites across London:
A gold ring with intaglio. The gemstone on this ring shows two mice dining together.
A Medusa jet pendant. Jet was frequently used as a material for burial goods. It was thought to have magical properties and to protect the dead on their journey to the Underworld.
Inhumations, cremations and human remains of Londoners from across the Roman Empire:
Two small cremation urns and their contents found in Broad Street. These vessels are unusual because of their small size. Roman cremations may contain as little as 20 per cent of the cremated person.
The burial of a man in a wooden coffin. This is one of the best preserved Roman coffins found in London. The impressions of his ribs, spine and knee joints survive in the wood.
Mysterious burials showing unusual rituals and practices, now seen as disturbing to the modern eye:
Four skulls of men showing signs of violent death found in waterlogged pits near London Wall. The pits contained human remains from 40 people, mostly men aged between 18 and 35 years old. Many of their skulls showed signs of multiple blunt-and sharp-force traumas which had caused their deaths.
The burial of a female dog in her own grave with her skull missing. She was wearing a collar when she was buried. Was her decapitation and burial part of a mysterious ritual?
Read more: Rare Roman sarcophagus unearthed in London goes on display | Daily Mail Online
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