Archaeological Excavations at Bermondsey Square  English Heritage began archaeological investigations at Bermondsey Square in November 2005.
Bermondsey Square incorporates the ruins of the 11th century Bermondsey Abbey, which is classed as a scheduled ancient monument.
How does it affect the new development on this site?
Construction has started on the Bermondsey Square development following a massive archaeological investigation, which has uncovered some amazing finds.
Developer Igloo is working within its socially responsible investment (SRI) policy to provide a sustainable and contemporary context to the historic site.
The design of the new development has been changed to incorporate some of the remains uncovered, including redesigning piles and layouts.
The restaurant will have an area of glass floor to display the remains of the South Tower to the Abbey church and a number of steps. To make this possible the architects and engineers are designing a special glass cage to house and display the remains.
The history of the archaeological dig
It was known that the site is situated above the remains of Bermondsey Abbey. However, it was only when archaeologists Pre-construct Archaeology began work on the dig, they discovered the extent of the treasure trove of history lying just under the surface.
The earliest medieval remains consist of a Norman Church from c. 1080, which is recorded in the Doomsday Book. The subsequent Abbey Church was a Cluniac Monastery dating to the 12th century and archaeologists were amazed to find the structure of the building in such good condition.
Outer walls over one metre high are still intact under the surface, a fact all the more remarkable considering that Londoners would often plunder the stone from old ruined buildings, leaving nothing but robbed out trenches for the archaeologists to speculate on centuries later.
Within these walls of the Abbey the archaeologists discovered the remains of a number of monks, which have since been exhumed and are currently being studied, as well as graffiti carved into the stonework showing a medieval knight. The Bermondsey dig also uncovered carved gargoyles and an assortment of pre-historic Roman, Saxon and Norman pottery.
The other discoveries made, including the remains of a number of buildings which were erected on the site through the years, have given historians more information about the area but will be covered up again and preserved for archaeologists in the future.
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Chris Le May
Tel: 020 7525 5480
chris.lemay@southwark.gov.uk
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