The London 2012 Cauldron: Designing a moment

2012

Roman London

AD 50-410

London before London

450,000 BC – AD 50

Discover the story of London before the city was even built

London before London explores the rich lives of the people living in the Lower Thames Valley from around 450,000 BC until the creation of the Roman city of Londinium around AD 50.

Not to be missed on your visit

View slideshow

Jaw of a mammoth, 200,000 BC

Around 200,000 years ago this giant, woolly mammoth walked across a cold landscape that would become modern day Ilford.

Iron age wheel boss from a chariot on display in the London Before London gallery.

Iron Age chariot fitting, 350 BC – 150 BC

This is a fitting from an Iron Age chariot. It is decorated in the swirling stylised patterns of the period and, demonstrating that the chariot owner was a person of style and wealth.

Mesolithic hunters used every part of the animals they hunted. Deer antlers made tough tools.

Axe and pots from the Neolithic period, 4,000 BC – 2,200 BC

Prehistoric hunters used every part of the animals they hunted. Deer antlers made tough tools.

This beautiful mace head was made from stone that originated in Norway or the Orkneys. It would have taken many hours to shape and polish and would have been carried on a wooden staff as a symbol of power. Its importance may have been the reason it was chosen as a sacrifice to the River Thames.

Neolithic mace head, 2900 BC – 2100 BC

This beautiful mace head was made of stone from the Orkneys. Carefully polished and shaped, it was thrown into the river as a sacrifice to the Thames.

The River Thames is one of the most important archaeological sites in Britain. For thousands of years people placed precious objects, including the bodies of the dead, into its dark waters, perhaps because they believed it was a gateway to another world. The London before London river wall showcases many of the amazing treasures recovered from the Thames.

River Wall

For thousands of years people placed precious objects, including the bodies of the dead, into the Thames. This display showcases many of the treasures recovered from its waters.

Bronze Age swords

The museum holds a nationally important collection of Bronze Age material. In the gallery you can see the wealth of objects, including stunning bronze weapons.

The person who made this bowl certainly left an impression. It was possible to take casts of the finger indentations around the neck to discover that the person who decorated it had slender fingers and long nails.

Neolithic bowls, 3500 BC

The person who made this bowl certainly left an impression. From casts of the finger indentations around the neck, we know its decorator had slender fingers and long nails.

Jadeite prehistoric axe found near Mortlake, in the London Before London gallery.

Neolithic Jadeite axe, 4000 BC – 2200 BC

This axehead was made to look beautiful, not to be used. The jadeite stone is from the Alps and it would have been considered a precious object amongst in the Thames Valley 6000 years ago.

The Shepperton Woman

The reconstructed head of one of London’s oldest residents is displayed next to her skeleton. This neolithic hunter-gatherer was buried in Shepperton between 5640 and 5100 years ago.

Harper Road Woman

This young woman was a witness to history. She was alive at the time of the Roman invasion of Britain and may have been aware of the destruction of Londinium by Boudica. .

Gallery access

The gallery is open during the museum's normal hours:

10am – 5.40pm

The gallery is on the entrance floor and can be accessed by lift.

Entry free, no ticket required.