Deep beneath the bustling streets of London, an incredible discovery has been made in the basement of an office building, unearthing a vital piece of Roman history. Archaeologists have stumbled upon a significant portion of the city’s first basilica, a grand public structure dating back 2,000 years ago where pivotal political, economic, and administrative decisions were once made. The remnants found so far include sections of a stone wall that served as the foundation for the basilica, which stood at an impressive two-and-half storeys tall.
Sophie Jackson from the Museum of London Archaeology (Mola) expressed the magnitude of this find, calling it the heart of Roman London. She emphasized that this building holds the key to understanding the origins of London and sheds light on why the city flourished and was selected as Britain’s capital. The artifacts discovered at 85 Gracechurch Street, the office building slated for redevelopment, provide valuable insights into the early days of London and its significance in the Roman Empire.
The basilica was a central feature of London’s forum, a hub of social and commercial activities encompassing a courtyard akin to the size of a football pitch. The forum, constructed around 80 AD shortly after the Roman invasion, served as a space for conducting business, resolving legal matters, and crafting legislation that impacted London and the wider country. Although the first basilica and forum only operated for about two decades, they were swiftly replaced by a larger and more elaborate forum, indicative of the city’s rapid expansion and rising prominence.
The revelation of this ancient site has prompted a shift in plans for the office building’s owners, who now plan to fully excavate and integrate the Roman remains into the new office structure. This endeavor has presented challenges for the architects, necessitating modifications to the original design to accommodate the archaeological site. Despite the adjustments and limitations imposed on the building’s features, the team is committed to preserving the historical significance of the discovered artifacts and offering the public an opportunity to engage with London’s rich Roman heritage
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