Archaeologists have reconstructed thousands of fragments of wall plaster from a 2,000-year-old Roman villa in central London, revealing exquisite frescoes. Discovered in 2021 during redevelopment, the frescoes adorned at least 20 walls with images of musical instruments, wildlife, and flora, reflecting the villa's luxury. Described as the "Beverly Hills of Roman London," the site hints at the affluence of its residents. One plaster piece bears the Latin word Fecit, suggesting involvement from skilled artists, while a notable fresco presents a blend of classical and local artistic expressions, including a unique depiction of mistletoe. Both historical and cultural insights emerge from this extraordinary find.
"It's one of the biggest - if not the biggest - assemblages of Roman wall plaster and paintings we've ever found in Roman London," said Han Li from Mola.
"That is actually quite interesting for me, because you're seeing that the Roman painters are taking a classical idea and they're very much putting their own North West European, or local, twist on it. I think that's magnificent," says Han Li.
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