Cool Archaeological Finds

I always like a cool archaeological find and it always leads to good threads, so here’s a really cool new find out of London:

Beneath the foundations of a planned 32-storey skyscraper in London, archaeologists have unearthed a remarkable vestige of the city’s Roman past: the remains of a basilica that once stood at the heart of Londinium.

The discovery, announced on Thursday, offers a glimpse into the city’s ancient origins, juxtaposing the modern drive for vertical expansion with the enduring presence of history beneath our feet.

Excavations at 85 Gracechurch Street, in the heart of London’s financial district, revealed substantial flint, brick, and ragstone walls and foundations, some measuring up to 1 metre wide and 4 metres deep. These two-millennia-old remnants are believed to be part of a two-story basilica, nearly the size of an Olympic swimming pool, constructed between 78 and 84 AD. This period marks a few decades after the Roman invasion of Britain and two decades after the rebellion led by Queen Boudicca.

Sophie Jackson of the Museum of London Archaeology hailed the find as “one of the most significant discoveries” in recent years within London’s oldest quarter, the City. This square-mile area, now dominated by modern skyscrapers, sits atop layers of history, from Victorian and medieval structures to these newly discovered Roman remains.

The basilica formed a key part of the Roman forum, the bustling center of Londinium’s social, political, and commercial life. It was a place where citizens gathered to shop, socialize, seek justice, and receive pronouncements from political leaders.

The unearthed foundations are thought to belong to the tribunal, a raised platform within the forum where officials made decisions concerning the city’s governance. This discovery provides valuable insights into the workings of Roman London and underscores the rich historical tapestry that lies beneath the modern cityscape.

“It’s the beating heart of the city,” said Andrew Henderson-Schwartz, head of public impact at Museum of London Archaeology. “It kind of towers above the city. And so it’s a real symbol of Roman power and authority.