Back Issues
The resource of 50 years of quarterly publications about London’s archaeology and only London’s archaeology is invaluable – and a fascinating read for anyone with an interest in the subject.
Recent issues
Although the last two years of LA are only available to subscribers, you can also buy individual issues from the membership secretary. To see what was in recent issues published over the past two years, you can scroll through the contents lists below.
Older back issues
And if you’d like to access pdfs of all the magazines published more than two years ago, all the way back to 1968, you can find them through the Archaeology Data Service. A year’s worth of LA issues is uploaded at a time to ADS, once a year in the autumn.
You can also search for articles by location on the Layers of London website, using the London Archaeologist Articles layer. To find out more about Layers of London and how to view London Archaeologist articles, watch our 2020 Annual Lecture with Adam Corsini.
Recent issues
Although the last two years of LA are only available to subscribers, you can also buy individual issues from the membership secretary. To see what was in recent issues published over the past two years, you can scroll through the contents lists below.
Older back issues
And if you’d like to access pdfs of all the magazines published more than two years ago, all the way back to 1968, you can find them through the Archaeology Data Service. A year’s worth of LA issues is uploaded at a time to ADS, once a year in the autumn.
You can also search for articles by location on the Layers of London website, using the London Archaeologist Articles layer. To find out more about Layers of London and how to view London Archaeologist articles, watch our 2020 Annual Lecture with Adam Corsini.
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Contents of Vol.17 No. 6 / Autumn 2024 Features Archaeology overview: 'When the journey's over' Trevor Brigham and Bruce Watson summarise the Roman significance of the Regis House waterfront site, celebrating its e-publication almost thirty years after the excavation. Archaeology update: A good time was had! Following the CBA Festival of Archaeology at the end of July, some participants in the various Londonwide events review how their activities went. Research Geoarchaeological research pinpoints new insights into Ilford silt The site at 573—585 High Road, llford, revealed Middle Pleistocene deposits showing an improved understanding of their age, origin and stratigraphic relationships. C P Green, C R Batchelor, J Athersuch, K Dudgeon, C Lang, P Toms & J Wood Excavations at Monument Street Extensive evidence from the Great Fire showed the busy nature of the pre-fire and the extensive redevelopment of the area post-fire. Ian Blair, with contributions from various finds specialists from MOLA Plus book review, letter, commentary, news, and diary |
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Contents of Vol.17 No. 4 / Spring 2024 Features Archaeological news: Funerary bed in Holborn A rare Roman wooden funerary bed has recently been discovered during excavations near Holborn Viaduct. Research update: Black Death and plague burials Dr Rebecca Redfern and three US researchers compare skeletons from plague burials at the Royal Mint site with burials from two non-plague cemeteries. Exhibition review: Legion: Life in the Roman army The new temporary exhibition at the British Museum explores what life in the Roman army was like. Research Monkey Skull from East Road, Hackney The discovery of a monkey skull, found during excavations in East Lane, Hackney, has raised the question as to whether it was a remnant from Hall’s Museum in the City Road, an entertainer’s aide or a pet that was then stuffed. Kevin Rielly Excavations at Stationers’ Hall, EC4 The excavations provided evidence for the buildings on the site before the Great Fire, prior to the construction and subsequent development of Stationers’ Hall. Ian Hogg The Curtain Road Gasworks, Principal Place, EC2 The Gas Light and Coke Company is the earliest known commercial public gas company in the world. The remains of the gasworks at Principal Place presented significant evidence for this early industry. Andy Daykin Obituary: Brian Hobley (1930–2023) An appreciation by Max Hebditch, Gustav Milne and two former DUA colleagues Plus book review, commentary, news, and diary |
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Contents of Vol.17 No. 03 / Winter 2024 Features Just the job: 'A people thing' Becky Wallower talks to Jacqui Pearce, specialist in medieval and later ceramics at MOL A, who has been changing the field of ceramics for decades. Access to archaeology: The Roman city wall at Vine Street Heather Knight of MOLA describes how a section of the Roman city wall, revealed in 1905 and 1979, has become the central feature in a new development. Project update: Remembering Crosswall John Maloney, excavation supervisor of the Crosswall site for the then Department of Urban Archaeology, reviews what was found in 1979—80. Archaeology update: The Cannon Street foreshore Will Rathouse and the TDP team describe the remains of river stairs, revetments and other fast-eroding structures using the newly digitised records of the Cannon Street foreshore. In Context: Meet our new Secretary, Helen Chittock Research Palaeolithic Flint Cleaver, Close to Marble Arch The discovery of a flint cleaver from near Marble Arch adds to the existing body of Lower Palaeolithic implements recovered from the gravels that lie under London's West End. Tony Baxter, Jon Cotton et al Excavations at The Medieval Palace of Savoy Although small in scale, the site at Savoy Place revealed new evidence for the appearance of the medieval palace and the later development of the site. Anthony Mackinder et al Plus book reviews, commentary, news, and diary |
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Contents of Vol.17 No. 2 / Autumn 2023 Features Archaeology update: Roman mausoleum in Southwark Antonietta Lerz of MOLA and Dr John Pearce of King's College London, talk about the recent find from Landmark Court, now The Liberty site, in Southwark. Archaeology update: Frederick's Place Al Telfer provides a summary of this City site and how it got its name. Archaeology news: A minor palace with big pretensions Martin Dearne, Excavations and Research Director of Enfield Archaeological Society, provides an extended summary of Elsyng Palace's history and the archaeology of the site. Archaeology overview: A forgotten legacy? The DUA at 50 Gus Milne looks back at the work of the Department of Urban Archaeology in this the 50th year of its inception. Research Civil War Defences at Phoenix Place, Mt Pleasant Excavations by ASE revealed 17th-century evidence of quarrying for material needed for building the nearby Lines of Communication. Ian Hogg Investigations in Horse Guards Avenue Archaeology by PCA, just below street level, revealed more about the Court Gate of Whitehall Palace and later buildings including Gower/Carrington House. James Langthorne Obituary: Friederike Hammer (1934—2023) Plus book review, commentary, news, and diary |
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Contents of Vol.16 No. 12 / Spring 2023 Features Archaeology update: City Sites Unseen Following the publication of the 2021 Fieldwork Round-up with the last issue, we look at three inner London sites. Author, Author...: Casting light on Syon Abbey The winner of the prestigious biennial London Archaeological Prize was Robert Cowie for his publication of the decades-long excavations at Syon Abbey, Brentford Becky Wallower talks to the author of this peer-reviewed journal article. LA Publication Prize: A good read Due to the high standard of the publications nominated for the recent LA Publication Prize, here is the opportunity to read the judges' comments for the runners-up. Research Roman Activity Beside the River Fleet Excavations at 60 Holborn Viaduct found little evidence of human burials in what was part of the Roman western cemetery, but distinctive ceramic groups are an important contribution to the existing body of data from the Fleet Valley. David Saxby with Amy Thorp Medius House, New Oxford Street Both archaeological excavation and documentary research chart the development of the western fringe of London in the 17th and 18th centuries — the site includes an early icehouse. Silvia Barlassina and Nick Holder Mount Mill: A Civil War Fort by Goswell Road While only short lengths of civil war defences have been recorded here, their survival suggest further portions of Mount Mill Fort may still survive in the surrounding area. Danny Harrison Plus book reviews, commentary, news, and diary |
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Contents of Vol.16 No. 11 / Winter 2023 Features Review: Executions exhibition While looking at 700 years of public executions in London, we dig into specific archaeological finds on show in the exhibition. Research Civil War Defences of North London Reviewed Further research and excavation have relocated the Defences and Lines of Communication from Hoxton to Bloomsbury Peter Mills New Light on the Origin of Roman London How the GPO Tunnel, just 1 metre wide and 1.4 metres high, illuminated the development of Roman London Peter Marsden Shipbuilding in Medieval London A combination of documentary research, excavation and contemporary illustration has greatly extended our knowledge of this somewhat neglected industry Gustav Milne Plus book review, commentary, news, and diary |
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Contents of Vol.16 No. 10 / Autumn 2022 Features Just the job: Becky Wallower talks to Chris Constable, the borough archaeologist for Southwark, about his unusual role in an archaeology-rich borough Archaeological news: Community Archaeologist of the Year Meet Andrew Mayfield, this year's CBA Community Archaeologist, who describes his community work on the Greenwich Park Revealed project Archaeological news: MOLA and L — P : Archaeology merge Andrew Henderson-Schwartz, MOLA's Head of Communications, explains the reasons for this new-look organisation with more staff and nationwide offices Archaeological news: Rebecca Haslam reviews an aspect of the PC-A excavation conducted on the NESCOT site, Ewell, where one particular quarry contained the richest and most remarkable series of structural deposits Archaeology update: Sites unseen An investigation prior to planting the Jubilee Garden at the Tower of London, and looking at a site in Bromley-by-Bow Research Excavations at the dnata City East Unit, Hounslow Excavations have revealed evidence relating to the prehistoric and Romano-British field systems near to Heathrow Airport Paulo Clemente More Evidence for Glassworks in Tower Hamlets A rural area until the 17th century, more evidence for the Salt Petre Bank glassworks was found at Ensign Court Joe Brooks & John Shepherd with Damian Goodburn, Kevin Rielly & Berni Seddon Obituary: Roberta Tomber 1954—2022 Plus book review, commentary, news, and diary |
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Contents of Vol.16 No. 8 / Spring 2022 Features Archaeology News: More discoveries at Landmark Court A new discovery of two decorative mosaic panels in Southwark Street reinforces the suggestion of another high-status building south of the river Museum Visit: Community heritage in Southwark Becky Wallower visits Walworth Library, which now incorporates the Southwark Heritage Centre and the historic Cuming Museum Archaeology Update: The future of the Royal Mint site Will plans for the future Chinese Embassy be affected by the past excavation of a Black Death cemetery and Cistercian abbey in East Smithfield? Research Prehistoric Activity at Ive Farm, Leyton Excavations have revealed further evidence relating to the prehistoric development of the Lea Valley Shane Maher, Barry Bishop and Jon Cotton Medieval and Post-Medieval Remains in Islington Medieval ditches and post-medieval activity have revealed a series of buildings and their related finds Ireneo Grosso, with contributions from Märit Gaimster, Chris Jarrett and Berni Sudds The Industrial Landscape at Tottenham Hale Excavations at Hale Wharf provided an opportunity to examine the mill complex during the 16th to 19th centuries set in the industrial landscape of Tottenham Hale Ellen Green Plus book review, letter, commentary, news, and diary |
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Contents of Vol.16 No. 7 / Winter 2022 Features Archaeology news: Rediscovering the past at Landmark Court Excavations at 15—23 Southwark Street and Redcross Way by MOLA in 2021 have revisited earlier excavations on the same sites and will feature in the AGM Annual Lecture next May. Volunteer project: Unlock stories of St James's Burial Ground HS2 archaeologists seek citizen scientists to enhance the archaeological burial records with information from paper records. Caroline Barrie-Smith (MOLA) explains the project Significant site: Eden Street, Kingston upon Thames Roy Stephenson talked to Becky Wallower about a site with a special significance to him. His choice was a surprise, but the analysis of Eden Street's pottery revolutionised sampling Public engagement: Walthamstow's pop-up exhibition A combination of developer failure and re-examination of a PCA excavation led to developer funding for outreach in Waltham Forest, which was designed by MOLA Research A Roman Pictorial Graffito Tile Reconsidered Two known examples of pictorial graffito provide intriguing and spontaneous examples of composition, giving some insight into the informal production of art in Roman Britain Bruce Watson Southwark Cathedral: Prior's Doorway & Stoup Archaeological monitoring and limited excavations beside the Prior's doorway and stoup, prior to constructing a ramp, revealed hitherto unidentified 12th-century stone features Jackie Hall, with contributions from Kevin Hayward The Site of The Battle of Barnet An update on the published results of attempts to locate the site of the Battle of Barnet, which have proved inconclusive, but have established some suggestions for the future Bruce Watson Plus book review, letter, commentary, news and diary |
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Contents of Vol.16 No. 6 / Autumn 2021 Features Investigation: Roman statue mystery Chris Constable considers the re-use of a surviving fragment of large Roman statuary as part of a 1 9th-century statue of King Alfred in Southwark. Archaeology News: The 'Hillingdon Hoard' As part of the HS2 construction, archaeologists excavating in West Ruislip have found an important Iron Age potin coin hoard. Findspot: London's Roman Tools Owen Humphreys discusses one aspect of his new book on tools from Roman London — one of the largest and most important collections in Europe Society Centenary: CADHAS Clive Orton, a long-term member of the Carshalton & District History and Archaeology Society, reviews the past and future of a local London society celebrating its centenary Research Roman Cremations at Old Ford Lying close to the settlement at Old Ford, this site produced many pits and ditches, with some cremations and a possible bustum burial Neil Hawkins, with contributions from Enikő Hudák, James Langthorne and Kate Turner Londinium's Hadrianic 'War' Reviewed A re-assessment of Dominic Perring's hypothesis of an early 2nd-century insurrection, and a review of the evidence. Bruce Watson Brickmaking and Brewing in Brick Lane An excavation in Block C of the former Truman's Brewery showed its development as tastes in beer changed and the production process became more complicated. Simon Pennington & Barbora Dmitričenko Obituary: Jean Macdonald Plus book review, commentary, news and diary |
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Contents of Vol.16 No. 5 / Summer 2021 Features Findspot: The Highgate Wood pottery industry Harvey Sheldon considers the scope and management of the Roman kilns site in Highgate Wood and whether it was under official control. Findspot Extra: The Highgate Roman Kiln project Nick Nick Peacey, Secretary of the Friends of Highgate Roman Kiln (FoHRK), describes the plans to re-instate one of the excavated kilns back into Highgate Wood. Archaeology Update: Sites Unseen We highlight some sites, either excavated or recorded as standing buildings, from the latest Fieldwork Roundup. Research Romans at Havering's Royal Liberty School Features and finds suggest Roman occupation and supports evidence that nearby Romford might be Durolitum. Helen Chittock with Julie-Anne Bouchard Perron, Trista Clifford, Anna Doherty and Rae Regensberg The River Wandle and Croydon through Time Excavations, showing sporadic periods of activity dating from the Mesolithic/early Neolithic period onwards, indicate that the River Wandle was an important factor Sian Anthony and Rob Engl Plus book reviews, commentary, news and diary |
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Contents of Vol.16 No. 4 / Spring 2021 Features Author, Author...: Masterwork The winners of the biennial London Archaeological Prize were Warwick Rodwell and David Neal for their 20-year research project and publication of the medieval Cosmatesque mosaics in Westminster Abbey. Becky Wallower interviewed the authors of this landmark publication. LA Publication Prize: A Good Read Due to the high standard of the publications nominated for the recent LA Publication Prize, here is the opportunity to read the judges' comments for the runners-up. Access to Archaeology: Digging London Ian Blair and John Burke-Easton have launched a new website to record the memories of archaeologists, past and present. Ian Blair and John Burke-Easton Research Prehistoric Landscapes and a Later Deer Park Neolithic pits, Bronze Age agriculture and a medieval deer park — how the landscape developed over time at Beddington Sewage Farm. Tom Wells and László Lichtenstein Lift Going Down: Roman Finds at Dyers' Hall A relatively small area excavated for a lift shaft revealed a wealth of evidence of quality Roman buildings. Joe Abrams Plus commentary, news and virtual visits |
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Contents of Vol.16 No. 3 / Winter 2021 Features Just the job: Flint and fire Dr James Dilley is finding new ways of bringing the past to life with experimental archaeology. Becky Wallower found out more, via Zoom Findspot: Finds from the foreshore Lockdown in 2020 curtailed foreshore work, but provided Stuart Wyatt with the opportunity to start researching some interesting early medieval discoveries Research East London's Civil War Defences Reviewed Research has uncovered significant issues that will re- write the history of the Civil War Defences in London Peter Mills Fishing in the Medieval Thames Lead fishing net weights, from a medieval ship sunk near Blackfriars, have shed light on fishing net technology and its connections to the economy and environment Lucy Granger The Lost Eastern Wing of St James's Palace Archaeological investigations have uncovered traces of the lost part of this major royal residence Stacey Amanda Harris Plus commentary, news, book reviews and virtual visits |
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Contents of Vol.16 No. 2 / Autumn 2020 Features In context: Meet the Treasurer LA welcomes Jacqui Mellows, our new Treasurer, as she takes up the reins from the late Alastair Ainsworth Access to archaeology: The CRaFT recording project Angela Broomfield, CRaFT coordinator, describes the work of volunteers who have been surveying the foreshore while recording the Thames causeways, river stairs and ferry terminals between Vauxhall and Greenwich Significant site: The Red Lion Playhouse Stephen White provides the latest information on the earliest known purpose-built playhouse Access to archaeology: London archaeology in lockdown A selection of activities conducted by units, contract or furloughed archaeologists during lockdown Research Discovering the Bucklersbury Mosaic A review of the 1 9th-century discovery of the mosaic, and how it made Victorian Londoners reshape modern identities on both a civic and personal scale Sophie Wardle Saxon and Medieval Settlement in Barking The excavations in Barking town centre revealed evidence of Saxon pits and structures and pottery of medieval date Richard Humphrey & Frank Meddens Plus commentary, news, letters, book reviews and virtual visits |
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Contents of Vol.16 No. 1 / Summer 2020 Features Access to archaeology: The Thames at War Gus Milne reviews the foreshore work of the TDP in identifying and recording existing visible evidence for the damage caused by bombing during the Blitz Site in context: Greenwich Park's future revealed Jane Sidell of English Heritage and Graham Dear, Manager of Greenwich Park, reveal plans for the development of post-medieval elements of the Park, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund Archaeology in context: Older Londoners' Project Helen Johnston and Will Rathouse of TDP describe how the 3-year project brought Londoners aged over 75 to the foreshore and mined their memories of the Thames in the process Research Pre-Roman and Roman Walbrook Landscape A review of the catchment area of the Walbrook, its many tributaries and the landscape surface upon which the future development of Londinium took place Tony Taylor Inscribed Roman Brick from Westminster A fragmentary hand-inscribed graffito reveals a partial date and was probably part of a tally mark of a tiler Isa Benedetti-Whitton Investigations at West End Green, Westminster The site shows development along the west side of Edgware Road, but it was not until the 1 7th century that the area grew, becoming increasingly more urbanised due to the close proximity of the canal terminus at Paddington Ireneo Grosso Plus obituary, commentary, book reviews, news and events diary |
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Contents of Vol.15 No. 12 / Spring2020 Features In context: Mudlarking at Dowgate Peter A Clayton remembers past mudlarking on the Thames foreshore at Dowgate while Stuart Wyatt considers what is still turning up in the same area now being recorded by the PAS Stop press: Fifty years of London's archaeology The culmination of London Archaeologist's 50th anniversary celebrations is the publication of the conference proceedings. Vicki Ridgeway and Clive Orton review contributions of archaeologists past and present Exhibition preview: Bronze Age mysteries The third largest Bronze Age hoard ever found in Britain is about to go on display at the Museum of London Docklands. Becky Wallower got a special preview from Kate Sumnall, the exhibition's curator Research Prehistoric, Roman and Saxon Little Ilford Evidence from Little llford School adds to the growing understanding of the long-term settlement and land-use in a less-understood area of London Les Capon and Helen Chittock Excavation At Stepney Way, Whitechapel A summary based on the key findings from the initial post-excavation work that revealed prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval evidence with some consideration of potential research areas Stephen White Evidence from Refuse Dumping at Shoreditch Layers from a large late 1 7th- and 1 8th-century rubbish tip, known as Holywell Mount, were excavated from below the modern buildings and Phipp Street Lyn Blackmore, Kasia Olchowska and Rob Tutt Plus commentary, book reviews, news and events diary |
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Contents of Vol.15 No. 11 / Winter 2020 Features Access to archaeology: Layers of London Adam Corsini of Layers of London talks about an exciting new project, begun in collaboration with London Archaeologist Archaeological update: Sites Unseen We highlight some post-medieval sites either excavated or recorded as standing buildings, selected from the latest Fieldwork Round-up Research Industrialisation’s Impact on London Health A three-year project re-examined 2,241 of London's stored skeletons — the results reveal the differences between inner city living and life beyond Gaynor Western and Jelena Bekvalac New Evidence for Bear-Baiting in Southwark An examination of animal bones from Empire Warehouse, Southwark, has provided further information about this infamous medieval and post-medieval entertainment Les Capon and Kevin Rielly America Square Revisited A post-excavation training project reviews the finds from a 1987 excavation held in the London Archive and, combined with historical research, reveals the benefits to students and London's archaeology alike Jacqui Pearce and MAAST Plus commentary, book reviews, news and events diary |