⛏️ There’s a Roman road hidden under a busy London street!

Hey there, Hypertextual readers! Guess what? Today, we’re unearthing London’s hidden history—this city has layers, and I’m not just talking about the weather.

In south-east London, under the often-overlooked Old Kent Road—the one immortalised as the cheapest property in British Monopoly—archaeologists recently struck gold—or rather, dirt. Hidden beneath the exhaust fumes lay a pristine slice of Watling Street, the Roman Empire’s version of the M25, only with better engineering and fewer traffic jams.

Built around AD 43, this ancient highway once ferried Roman soldiers and merchants between Londinium (modern-day London) and key port towns like Dubris (Dover) and Rutupiae (Richborough Castle). It was a lifeline that carried everything from trade goods to imperial gossip. At nearly six metres wide, the uncovered section is an engineering marvel with layers of gravel and sand still holding up after 2,000 years of rain, wheel ruts, and oblivious Londoners stomping above.

Watling Street’s rediscovery beneath Old Kent Road reminds us that London has always been a place where the past refuses to stay buried. Britain’s Roman period, spanning nearly four centuries from AD 43 to 410, was a time when toga-clad invaders reshaped the island. Hadrian’s Wall and the baths in, well, Bath, for instance, scream “imperial grandeur,” while Watling Street whispers something closer to “we really needed a decent shortcut.” Yet the Romans’ influence isn’t just in the stones they piled up but in the quirks and oddities that archaeologists keep digging up.

For instance, in Buckinghamshire, someone thought tossing a chicken egg into a pit as a ritual offering would be a good idea. Surprisingly, the egg survived nearly 1,700 years, yolk and all. Near London’s Holborn Viaduct, a wooden funerary bed—basically Roman flat-pack furniture for the afterlife—was unearthed. It’s the first of its kind in Britain and a testament to the Romans’ belief that even the dead deserved a comfortable snooze.

Meanwhile, archaeologists discovered a leather mouse figurine over at Vindolanda, a Roman fort near Hadrian’s Wall. Was it a child’s toy? A prank? Proof that Romans shared our love of questionable home décor? Who knows. They also found bedbugs, probably the empire’s least welcome export. Then there’s the man in East Midlands: a decapitated skeleton wearing iron shackles, a grim reminder of the Roman approach to social hierarchies.

Even the Romans’ downtime left its mark. In Colchester, archaeologists uncovered a shard of a ceramic cup with a chariot illustration, likely a souvenir from Britain’s only known Roman circus. It seems even back then, people couldn’t resist a bit of branded merchandise.

London’s best guide: Meet Julian McDonnell

Julian McDonnell, the brilliant mind and charming face behind Joolz Guides, is the go-to expert for uncovering London’s quirks and hidden stories. I managed to pin him down for a brief interview, and his enthusiasm practically leapt off the screen. Everyone needs to watch his YouTube videos—they’re packed with fascinating insights—and his books are essential reading for anyone who loves London history. Seriously, don’t miss out—this is history at its most entertaining.

Which location in London holds a special place in your heart?

I suppose Covent Garden because I worked there for seven years outside the old Hamleys, which has gone now. I made many friends and often go back and reminisce.

Conversely, is there a place in London you’d rather avoid?

Not really, only if a place feels unsafe. I usually find something interesting wherever I go.

Is there a Cockney rhyme you believe everyone should incorporate into daily conversations?

I always say “Are you having a giraffe” instead of “having a laugh”.

Where would you envision living in an alternate universe where London doesn’t exist?

Possibly Sydney, Belgrade, or Rome. All these places are where I’ve spent a lot of time, met great people, and enjoyed myself.

Other British history gems

If you’re as fascinated by British history as I am, you might enjoy my obscure blog, Metkere. I’ve written about Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall, and architectural gems like Osborne House, Eltham Palace, and Ranger’s House in Greenwich Park. There’s even a piece on the Peter the Great statue in Deptford—because nothing says British heritage like a Russian tsar looming over south-east London.

Elia Kabanov is a science writer covering the past, present and future of technology (@metkere)

Illustration: Elia Kabanov feat. MidJourney. Photo credit: MOLA.