Archaeologists in London have made an extraordinary discovery that sheds new light on the city's ancient past: the remains of a nearly 2,000-year-old Roman basilica.
The significant find was made during excavations at 85 Gracechurch Street, a site located near the famous Leadenhall Market in the heart of the city of London.
Researchers say the basilica, believed to be the first known Roman basilica in London, offers an unprecedented look into the structure of Roman Londinium, the ancient settlement that would eventually evolve into the bustling metropolis we know today.
Archaeologists had long suspected that the basilica was buried beneath the site, but no one expected such an extraordinary level of preservation. The discovery has been hailed as one of the most important archaeological breakthroughs in the capital in recent years, providing experts with rare insights into the political, social and commercial life of Roman Britain.
"It's like discovering the Speaker's Chair and chamber of the House of Commons, 2,000 years into the future. The levels of preservation of the Basilica have far exceeded our expectations, and we have possibly the most important part of the building. Excitingly, we've only just scratched the surface of this site's potential through our initial investigations," Sophie Jackson, development director at the Museum of London Archaeology, said in a statement.
So, what exactly is a basilica? In Roman times, a basilica was the heart of the town -- an important building designed for use as a public hall or court of law. Officials would meet to make decisions on laws and governance, and citizens would gather for markets, festivals and public events. These buildings were often grand in design, featuring open courtyards and public monuments or statues. Some basilicas were over two stories tall and could be enormous in size, symbolizing the power and authority of the Roman Empire.
Determining how much of the structure had survived the test of time and centuries of urban development was quite a challenge. Archaeologists first dug several test pits at the site to see what remnants of the basilica might still be intact. What they discovered was a stunning collection of massive Roman foundations and walls made from flint, ragstone and tiles. Some of these structures are believed to be more than 32 feet long, 3 feet wide, and up to 13 feet deep -- a size that suggests a grand and important building once stood here.
"Basically, we've got a huge piece of Roman wall, which represents part of the structure for the nave of this basilica - the central part of this town hall," Jackson told NPR.
These foundations mark what is likely the site of the basilica's Tribunal — a raised stage where magistrates and political leaders made decisions that affected the governance of Roman London.
The basilica is part of the wider Roman Forum and is thought to have been constructed in the late 70s or 80s AD, during the governorship of Agricola (78-84 AD).
"It was a really high building, and nobody would have seen anything like this before in Britain. And so it was designed to impress - and perhaps intimidate - the local population," Jackson told NPR.
With further excavations planned for the site, archaeologists are eager to uncover even more details about the basilica's construction and interior.
The property owner plans to integrate the remains of the basilica into the redevelopment of 85 Gracechurch Street. The project team is working alongside archaeologists and the London Museum to create a new public exhibition and event space that will allow visitors to experience what it was like to stand on the stage of Roman London. The new exhibition is projected to open to the public in 2029 or 2030.