People: in detail

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Excavating a child's grave at Spitalfields

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An exciting discovery. When this sealed pot was opened the ointment inside was still soft!

What were their lives like?

Archaeologists have excavated several Roman cemeteries. The evidence gives us an insight into how Roman Londoners lived and died.

Most people died between the ages of 26 and 45.

Few skeletons show evidence of violent injuries, suggesting that Londinium wasn't a particularly dangerous place.

Most people probably died of old age or infectious disease.

Few people had either a very rich or very poor diet, though their teeth were often very worn.

After comparing skeletons from Londinium to those from elsewhere in Britain archaeologists believe that most Londoners probably originated here.

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A beautiful gold and pearl earring

What did Roman Londoners look like?

Very little Roman clothing survives, but images suggest that people wore tunics or togas and cloaks.

A lot of leather shoes have been found in Londinium, ranging from hob nailed sandals to decorated boots.

Both sexes wore finger rings while women wore necklaces, bracelets and hairpins.

We know people used makeup and perfume because the containers they were kept in are common finds.