How did the waterfront change?
The Romans built the first port and a wooden warehouse in AD63. They soon
rebuilt the warehouse in mud brick. At the end of the first century they
rebuilt the waterfront 4 metres further out into the river and extended the
warehouse. Early in the second century they extended the waterfront and
warehouse again, before all the buildings were severely damaged by fire in
about AD125.
How do we know when the changes happened?
Archaeologists can date the port development using dendrochronology and
ceramic evidence. The waterfront was replaced and extended in 30-year
cycles until about AD210. By this time the river level had dropped. The
final wharves were 40-50 metres from the pre-Roman riverbank.
What happened to the port after AD210?
Trade was vital for Londinium's early growth but there is much less
evidence for it in the third and fourth centuries AD. One reason might be
declining river levels which would have made it harder for ships to
navigate the Thames. Despite the civil war and barbarian attacks in the
north-west provinces, there is evidence of imported goods in Londinium.
Some archaeologists are now suggesting that port activities may have been
moved downstream to Shadwell when the original port was abandoned in the
mid third century. [TBC]
|
