Blackfriars Roman Shipwreck

  • The Blackfriars Roman Shipwreck refers to one of four Shipwrecks from the 1st century CE.
  • It was a Roman Cargo Vessel, excavated from Blackfriars Embankment in London, which contained a cargo of Kentish Ragstone.

History

  • Between 1962 and 1970, whilst the Embankment wall was being built near Blackfriars Bridge, London, four shipwrecks were discovered.
  • They were excavated by the Archeologist Peter Marsden, and named Blackfriars I for the Roman wreck, and Blackfriars II, III and IV for the Medieval wrecks.

Blackfriars I

  • Blackfriars I was a Roman seagoing vessel operating in the second century CE. A coin of Domitian (81-96 CE) was found under the mast.
  • The ship was wrecked with its cargo, consisting of 26 tons of quarried Kentish Ragstone for building walls.

Location of the Wreck

Blackfriars II, III and IV

  • These were Medieval or later shipwrecks and are not Roman.

 

Blackfriars Bridge

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