An incredible discovery has been made by archaeologists in London, as they uncovered part of an ancient Roman floor Mosaic – the largest found for over half a century.

Described as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime-find’, this elaborate mosaic is made up of two floor panels showcasing a beautiful design. The colourful tile patterns depict lotus flowers surrounded by bands of intertwining strands and motifs known as ‘guilloche’.

It’s believed the mosaic dates back around the 2nd-3rd century, as the floor of a dining room, back when the Romans controlled Britain. Preserved for almost 2000 years, the mosaic has become one of London’s oldest hidden treasures. 

Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) were excavating the site as part of a regeneration project, in Southwark. Excavators were thrilled when glimpses of coloured tiles began to emerge through the soil. The smaller panel was first discovered in June, followed by a large one more recently.

This rare mosaic now joins nearby icons, London Bridge and The Shard, in London’s exciting history. 

London – or Londinium was believed to be founded by the Romans in around AD 48-50. This follows on from when the Romans, led by emperor Claudius, invaded Britain, previously belonging to the Celts. 

A bustling Roman settlement, Londinium thrived for 4 centuries until AD 410, when the Romans had lost control of Britain. This particular mosaic was located on what was the outskirts of Londinium which was centred on the north bank of the River Thames.

MOLA believes that this mosaic was a floor feature for the dining room in a Roman Mansio. They were a type of luxury motel for high-ranking Roman officers, state couriers and officials travelling to and from London.

What’s even more remarkable is that these mosaics would have been handcrafted, using an assortment of colour tiles to create these glorious patterns. The fact that they are still around today is a true testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the Romans.

The size of this dining room is estimated to have been 8 meters long, which is led to believe that this Mansio would have been for only the upper-classes of Roman society. Fragments of plaster from the room’s vibrant walls could also be found during the excavation.

Like the beauty of many buildings from the Roman age, no expense was spared in creating the most lavish of decor.

More incredible is that a mosaic of similar design had already been discovered in the German city of Trier. This leads researchers to consider that both works were created by the travelling Roman artisans known as the ‘Acanthus group’.

This isn’t the only Roman mosaic to be found in the UK in recent times. During lockdown in 2020, the remains of a Roman villa containing a rare mosaic were uncovered in a farmer’s field in Rutland, East Midlands. 

Plans for these mosaics to be displayed to the public are still to be laid out. We can only imagine what mosaic treasures lie underneath towns and cities across the UK, waiting to be discovered!