Ancient Roman Basilica Unearthed in London After 2 Millennia Beneath Modern Office Basement

London’s First Roman Basilica Unearthed Beneath Office Block

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of London’s first Roman basilica, hidden beneath an office building near Leadenhall Market. Dating to the late 1st century AD, this 2,000-year-old structure was once the political, social, and judicial heart of Roman Londinium—the largest basilica north of the Alps at its peak. Experts from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) uncovered the remarkably preserved foundations during pre-development excavations at 85 Gracechurch Street.

A Glimpse into Roman London

The basilica, part of Londinium’s Forum, served as a bustling hub for government meetings, courts, and commerce. Built just decades after the Roman invasion of Britain (AD 43), it stood two stories high and symbolized London’s importance in the empire. Sophisticated engineering included walls made of flint, Kentish ragstone, and Roman tiles, with sections spanning over 32 feet long and 13 feet deep.

[Image: Artist’s reconstruction of the Roman basilica, showcasing its grand two-story structure.]
Caption: The basilica was a monumental center of Roman governance and public life.

"Extraordinary" Preservation

The surviving foundations include areas believed to be the Tribunal—a raised platform where officials presided over legal and political matters. “Discovering this is like finding the Speaker’s Chair of the Roman world,” said MOLA’s Sophie Jackson. Among artifacts was a roof tile stamped with a Roman official’s mark and even the tile maker’s fingerprints.

[Image: Excavation site showing ancient flint and ragstone walls.]
Caption: Foundations revealed during digs at 85 Gracechurch Street.

Londinium’s Legacy

Roman Londinium, established on the Thames’ north bank, laid the groundwork for modern London. After the empire’s 5th-century collapse, the city’s buried layers—up to 23 feet deep—preserved structures like the basilica. Though later rebuilt into a larger Forum (around AD 100), traces of the original complex survived beneath Gracechurch Street.

[Image: Map overlaying Roman Londinium’s Forum on modern London streets.]
Caption: The Forum’s location compared to today’s city layout.

Public Display by 2030

The site’s owners plan to integrate the basilica’s remains into a permanent exhibition by 2029–2030. Visitors will “stand where Roman leaders once governed,” Jackson explained. Further digs may reveal more about the basilica’s short-lived role before being replaced by a grander complex.

[Image: Artist’s concept of the future exhibition space.]
Caption: Proposed display merging ancient ruins with modern design.

Timeline of Roman London

• AD 43: Roman invasion of Britain; Londinium founded.
• AD 60: Boudicca’s revolt destroys the city.
• AD 70–80: First Forum and basilica constructed.
• AD 100: Construction begins on a second, larger Forum.
• AD 410: Roman rule ends; Londinium abandoned.

[Image: Roman roof tile with maker’s fingerprints.]
Caption: A 2,000-year-old tile bearing traces of its creator.

Why This Matters

This discovery reshapes understanding of early Roman London. Unlike later Forums, which were heavily altered, the basilica’s Tribunal offers a rare snapshot of governance. With ongoing research, MOLA aims to unravel how the building influenced Londinium’s growth into a imperial cornerstone.

“We’ve only scratched the surface,” Jackson said. “This site will redefine public engagement with London’s Roman past.”

[Image: Comparison of the basilica’s ruins and modern Gracechurch Street.]
Caption: Ancient history meets modern London beneath the city’s streets.

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