Archaeological remains and ancient monuments are important evidence of the City’s past and its role as a commercial and trading centre reflecting past land use, society and occupation as well as social and economic change. The remains have intrinsic value as well as contributing to the wider landscape of the City, its hinterland and trading connections.
The development of the City through the Roman, Saxon and medieval periods to the present day is contained in visible and buried monuments and archaeological remains. The almost continuous occupation of the City has led to the build up and development of a complex and in some areas, deep archaeological layer. In many areas, monuments such as the Roman and medieval City wall are conserved as part of a development. Elsewhere, they are buried below existing building basements, streets and open spaces, or subsumed into later buildings.
For much of the City’s history, surviving archaeological remains are the only source of information; and for later periods, archaeology complements surviving documentary records.
Advice on archaeology and the planning process is in the Planning Advice Note: Archaeology and Planning. This deals with all stages of the planning process, including pre application advice, archaeological assessment, archaeological evaluation, investigation, mitigation and recording, post excavation assessment, publication and archiving.
Archaeology Planning Advice Note (1.4mb)
The Museum of London Archaeology stores information relating to archaeological sites at the London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre (LAARC). The LAARC stores the full archives for many sites as the records and finds from nearly all archaeological work in London come here. You can find more information and search the online catalogue by following the link below.
Museum of London - LAARC
Some ancient monuments have statutory protection and are scheduled. Scheduled monument consent is required for any work which may affect an ancient monument.