Before we build Oriel, we need to uncover what’s below the surface. This is where a team of archaeologists come in to uncover and understand the history of this part of London.
It’s taken months of careful excavation, cataloguing and research to understand what was underground. Drones were used to uncover the history of the site which has a surprisingly rich and colourful history.
People first started living in this area over 1,500 years ago and for centuries since, the landscape was mainly fields and villages.
By the late 1700s this area of Camden was the suburbs and was quickly growing as people tried to escape the cramped centre of London. The archaeologists have uncovered the foundations of a workhouse built on the site in the 19th century.
To find out more, read the Museum of London Archaeology’s blog about their findings.