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Ornamental Stonework from Roman London

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2011

Frances A. Pritchard
Frances A. Pritchard
Affiliation:
Department of Urban Archaeology, Museum of London
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Extract

The use of ornamental stonework in buildings was one of many important innovations introduced by the Romans into Britain. The demand for floor mosaics spread rapidly throughout the province and has been the subject of detailed study but other aspects of decorative stonework, including opus sectile paving and wall veneers, which were no less a sign of conspicuous wealth, have attracted little attention. This paper, therefore, attempts to trace the fashion for ornamental stones in interior and exterior design by examining the evidence from London. Despite the severe limitations of the archaeological evidence, shifts in taste and changes in the types of stone used can be discerned from the London material, which seem to reflect wider commercial activities within the Roman empire. When the material is compared with other parts of the province regional differences become apparent, emphasising the high status London enjoyed from the late first century A.D.

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Type
Articles
Information
Britannia , Volume 17 , November 1986, pp. 169 - 189
Copyright
Copyright © Frances A. Pritchard 1986. Exclusive Licence to Publish: The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies

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References

1 A Level III archive report on the ornamental stonework is held by the Museum of London. Copies are available upon written request.

2 I am grateful to many of my colleagues in the Museum of London for access to material and site information. I have also benefitted from the generosity of curators and members of archaeological units, who have permitted me to examine material in their care. In particular I should like to thank Nina Crummy, Colchester Archaeological Trust; Paul Sealey, Colchester and Essex Museum; Kenneth Reedie, The Royal Museum and Art Gallery Canterbury; Pan Garrard, Canterbury Archaeological Trust; Anne Bone, Chichester District Museum; and David Rudkin, Fishbourne Roman Palace and Museum.

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