Roman eagle found by archaeologists in City of London

The 1,800-year-old sculpture of the imperial symbol is regarded as one of the best pieces of Romano-British art ever foundA superb Roman eagle in near pristine condition, serpent prey wriggling in its beak, has been found by archaeologists in the City of London. A symbol of immortality and power, it was carefully preserved when the aristocratic tomb it decorated was smashed up more than 1,800 years ago – and is regarded as one of the best pieces of Romano-British art ever found.The preservation is so startling that the archaeologists who found it a few weeks ago at the bottom of a ditch, on the last day of an excavation on a development site at the Minories, were worried in case they had unearthed a Victorian garden ornament. Continue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - October 29, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Maev Kennedy Tags: Archaeology UK news London Science Art and design Culture Source Type: news