An archaeological excavation in the heart of London unearthed remnants of the city's first Roman basilica, a nearly 2,000-year-old public building. Workers at 85 Gracechurch Street in the City of London stumbled upon the discovery while preparing the site for a new hyper-modern office building, according to BBC News.
Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) uncovered stone walls made from Kentish limestone that formed the foundation of the basilica, which would have supported a structure estimated to be two and a half stories high. "We can say this is the heart of Roman London. This building tells us a lot about London's origins and the reasons for its selection as a capital," Sophie Jackson from the excavation team said, according to BBC News.
The basilica, built around 80 CE, served as a public building for legal and administrative purposes and was part of London's first forum—a social and commercial hub where major political and economic decisions were made. The first basilica and forum were only in use for about 20 years before being replaced by a much larger complex, reflecting the city's rapid growth in size and importance during the Roman period.
James Taylor, one of the project architects, noted that preserving the ancient structure posed technical challenges. "The scheme has been comprehensively adjusted," he explained, according to BBC News. "Simple things like the columns have had to literally move position, so you're not destroying all these special stones that we found in the ground," he added. Fewer lifts can now be installed to avoid disturbing the remains, which has meant that the team had to reduce the height of the building.
The building's owners, Hertshten Properties, altered their development plans to accommodate the archaeological remains. According to the new project, the Roman remains will be fully excavated, preserved, and exhibited to the public as part of the new building, pending planning approval. "You can actually see and visualize how Roman London would have been in those times. And then you can walk outside and you can say, 'now look at the skyscrapers, now look at the office blocks,' this is progress, but at the same time, progress combined with preservation," said Chris Hayward from the City of London Corporation, according to BBC News.
Historical artifacts were also found during the excavation, including roof tiles with an official seal, adding to the understanding of daily life and administrative functions in ancient Londinium. Authorities emphasize that such discoveries create an important bridge connecting the past and the present. "It's the place you came to do business, to get your court case sorted out, it's where laws were made, and it's where decisions were made about London, but also about the rest of the country," Jackson added.
This is the latest piece of Roman history discovered beneath the streets of London's Square Mile. Parts of an amphitheatre are on display under a glass floor at the Guildhall Art Gallery. In the basement of the office of news agency Bloomberg, people can visit the Temple of Mithras, which has been brought to life with an immersive sound and light installation.
By the late 1st century CE, Londinium expanded into one of the largest cities in Roman Britannia, surpassing Camulodunum (Colchester) as the provincial capital. In the aftermath of Boudica's revolt, Londinium was reconstructed as a planned settlement that followed the traditional Roman grid system. Around this time Londinium reached its peak with around 45,000 to 60,000 inhabitants, covering an area of 330 acres north of the River Thames.
"To actually see people using and enjoying the space, moving through the public hall and down to see the remains, will be absolutely incredible," Taylor stated.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.