The Museum of London Archeology (MOLA) has recently announced the discovery of a rare wooden funerary bed believed to have been used by ancient Romans within the city. The museum believes the finding will lead to new archaeological breakthroughs in Roman burial customs.
MOLA Archaeologists carefully inspecting the wooden funerary bed believed to have been utilized by ancient Romans for their funerary rites.
How the Rare Roman Artifact was Discovered
According to MOLA's recent public release, they initiated excavations in a site near London's Holborn Viaduct ahead of the construction that will turn the area into a bespoke office for the law firm Hogan Lovells.
This particular archaeological initiative was carried out on behalf of the Royal London Asset Management Property and through it they have uncovered "2000 years of history on the site," with an incredibly rare Rona burial bed taking "centerstage."
As per the institution, a find of this quality and completeness is a first for this specific type of artifact. It is made from excellent oak material and possesses both carved grooves for feet and joints affixed by wooden pegs.
The bed itself was found deconstructed within the burial, but archaeologists from the museum believe it was used to carry the individual the funeral was held for.
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MOLA Archaeologists Peek at the Past With a Wooden Bed
Such funerary practice was common at the height of the Roman empire, as many tombstones belonging to the era depict the deceased reclining on a couch or a bed while enjoying food as if to show their blissful afterlife.
More importantly, the researchers inferred from the funerary bed that the London site was previously utilized as a cemetery by the Romans around 43 AD to 410 AD.
In addition to the bed, MOLA archaeologists also discovered skeletal remains, personal objects belonging to the deceased, luxurious jewelry, and even an opulently decorated lamp with an image of the gladiator carved on it. The lamp in particular was dated between 48 to 80 AD.
Project Officer Heather Knight was quoted in the release saying: "It was no great surprise to discover burials at this site, which during the Roman period would have been located 170m west of the city walls and next to the major Roman road of Watling Street."
"However, the levels of preservation we've encountered - and particularly uncovering such a vast array of wooden finds - has really blown us away," she added.
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