Bulldozers dig on burial site

A roman burial ground containing the remains of 100 bodies and described today as being of "immense archaeological importance" has been discovered at a south London building site.

The 2nd-century bodies were found at the site on America Street, near London Bridge.

Despite the significance of the find, contractors are using heavy digging equipment on the Schroders site - even before the full extent of the burial ground has been uncovered. Only half the site has been excavated and further bodies are expected to be found in the remaining half when the second phase begins later this week.

Evening Standard witnessed workmen using bulldozers to dig up the part of the site from which the bodies were removed.

The skeletons have been taken to labs owned by the overseers of the dig, AOC Archaeology, based in Twickenham, where they will be tested.

Today a spokesman for investment bank Schroders, which intends to build on the site, said: "We are working closely with the local authority and the archaeological officer."

Giles Dawkes, of AOC Archaeology, said: "I am not in a position to reveal what we have discovered because I do not have clearance from Schroders."