Two books appear on my desk to lead me around Roman London, one of which (Webb) is a chatty, descriptive wander, providing both a chronological narrative and a tour of sites. The other (Tibbs) additionally provides maps and grid references, on the face of it providing what might be expected in a guide. Both authors appear to have read some of the recent scholarship; for example there are signs of the evocative prehistoric Thames of Hingley’s Londinium (2018) threaded into the pre-Roman sections of both and it is positive to see research adapted for use into popular books. Also positive is the chapter on Roman Westminster in Webb’s book, highlighting the need for further research. Unfortunately, there are some errors in Webb’s narrative that create the wrong impression of the early town in particular, which was not ‘a shanty town’ (15) but rather an organised grid of streets lined with buildings constructed in what we recognise as a Roman style. Webb does highlight the largely clay and timber construction of London, and the reliance on preservation of stone structural remains which gives a false impression. An example from Frankfurt shows that the preservation and display of such timber buildings is possible, albeit at a price (https://www.newsweek.com/extraordinary-wooden-structure-found-roman-house-destroyed-fire-1876443).

I found the ‘walking tour’ style of Webb’s writing fun to read, although in practice would probably need an audio version if I were to explore on foot. The lack of a map showing the location of sites mentioned in the text is an omission which I could not quite fathom. To conclude his book, Webb embarks on an ill-informed rant about why London’s Roman remains are not widely displayed, or considered sources of civic pride as they are in cities such as Rome or Athens (219–26). Notwithstanding the very different heritage protection regimes that evolved across Europe, as well as the specific conditions under which London’s archaeology suffered, this attempt to form a narrative around a rejection of imperial might (not something nineteenth-century Britain was particularly famous for) is misjudged, in my view. The lack of visibly displayed remains in London is far more closely associated with a lack of financial and legal support to enforce such plans, a persistent issue noted during the discovery of the Bucklersbury mosaic in the 1860s. That 50,000 people queued to see the mosaic illustrates how wrong Webb is to say Londoners felt shame about being occupied by a ‘bunch of foreigners’ (222–3). Much the same numbers queued to see the nearby mithraeum when it was uncovered almost a century later. Even less appetising is Webb’s diversion into what he calls ‘wholly unsubstantiated stories’ of black people living in the Roman town (225). His ignorance of the bioarchaeological evidence (e.g. the multidisciplinary analysis by Redfern et al. of a population from Roman Southwark, London, in Journal of Archaeological Science 74 (2016)) might be excused were it not for the distasteful way he is skewing what little he does know.

Andrew Tibbs’s ‘Guide’ (2024) provides details of individual sites and advice on how to get to them. There are several ‘sites’ where there is no visible archaeology to be seen, for example several of the Halls of the Livery Companies, which sit above inaccessible excavated remains (68–71). This extended list of sites is useful in showing the wealth of evidence hidden below the streets. Unfortunately, Tibbs does not do a wholly accurate job in his coverage of some of these, with errors in the description of the London mithraeum causing me to wince during reading, and much repetition of the misleading idea that London’s City Wall was erected primarily as a defensive structure. Of particular note here, however, is the inclusion of London’s hinterland, including the museums in Orpington and Dagenham, with readers also encouraged to visit the replica Roman kiln up in Highgate Wood. Part 5 includes a detailed list of resources, and I was pleased to see that Tibbs has taken the time to include local Archaeological Societies and the Historic England Listing number for many of the sites mentioned in the text, as well as extra reading recommendations.

Overall, however, it seems we are still waiting for the ideal guide to Roman London, one which combines accessible and accurate scholarship with visibly appealing, useful maps.