The Roman Watling Street Beneath Southwark's Old Kent Road!
A major archaeological discovery has revealed a well-preserved section of Watling Street, one of the most important Roman roads in Britain, located just beneath the bustling Old Kent Road in Southwark, southeast London. This incredible find was uncovered during excavation work for the expansion of Southwark’s low-carbon heat network, carried out by archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), in collaboration with Veolia, RPS Consulting, and Southwark Council.
Unearthing History: A Roman Road Lost for Centuries
The section of Watling Street discovered dates back nearly 2,000 years, built soon after the Roman invasion of Britain in CE 43. Measuring an impressive 5.8 metres (19 feet) wide and 1.4 metres (5 feet) high, the road was found in remarkable condition, providing physical proof that this ancient route still exists beneath the modern-day Old Kent Road. While the original surface of the road is no longer intact, archaeologists were able to identify distinct layers of construction, including a compacted gravel foundation, two layers of chalk, and a top layer of sand and gravel. These features demonstrate the advanced engineering skills of the Romans and how well-built their infrastructure was.
Interestingly, the modern road's base sits directly on top of the Roman road, showing the continuity of this ancient thoroughfare that has been integral to the area for centuries.
Photo Credit: MOLA
Watling Street: The Lifeblood of Roman Britannia
In Roman times, Watling Street was a crucial route that connected key port towns such as Dover, Richborough, Lympne, and Reculver with Londinium (modern-day London). From there, it continued northwest to important Roman settlements like Verulamium (St Albans) and Wroxeter (Viroconium Cornoviorum). The newly uncovered section lies just south of the junction of Old Kent Road and Ilderton Road, aligning perfectly with historical records of the road's route.
Dr Chris Constable, Southwark Council’s archaeology officer, expressed excitement at the discovery: “We’d expected to find something in the planning stages of this project, but the extent of survival of the road is remarkable. We hope this discovery will help answer other archaeological questions within the borough.”
Insights into Roman Engineering
Gillian King, director of archaeology at RPS Consulting, described the find as a game-changer for archaeological research in London. She said, “The intact section of Roman Watling Street directly beneath the current Old Kent Road has redrawn the Roman road map for Southwark and sheds light on Roman construction techniques. It’s an invaluable discovery for understanding the Roman impact on London.”
Dave Taylor, MOLA project manager, also reflected on the resilience of the road, noting, “It’s incredible that this section of road has survived for almost 2,000 years, especially considering the significant activity in the area over the centuries—from sewers and power cables to tramlines and the construction of the modern road.”
Photo Credit: MOLA
A Layered History of Old Kent Road
This remarkable discovery highlights the layered history of Old Kent Road. Once a vital Roman route, it later evolved into a medieval pilgrimage path, and today, it serves as a major thoroughfare in Southwark, an area now focused on sustainable urban development. The road even appears in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, reinforcing its historical significance.
To commemorate this exceptional find, Southwark Council plans to install a commemorative sign near the site on the Old Kent Road railway bridge, acknowledging the area’s rich Roman past and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
This discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into London’s ancient history, reminding us that even in the most modern and developed parts of the city, traces of the past are never far beneath the surface.