Latest news with #Boudicca
Euronews
14-02-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Archaeologists uncover extraordinary 2,000-year-old Roman basilica beneath London office
Archaeologists have made an extraordinary discovery under an office block in London: the remains of the city's first Roman basilica. It's been described as one of the most significant archaeological finds in the capital in recent years. Dating back nearly 2,000 years to the late 70s or early 80s AD, the basilica was part of the Roman forum - Londinium's administrative and social hub. "The significance of this site is that the Roman basilica really was the commercial, social, and economic hub of London," explains Andrew Henderson-Schwartz, the head of public impact at MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology), in a chat with Euronews Culture. "It's where you would go to do big business decisions and big business deals. It's where you would go to have disputes resolved by a magistrate. It's where you'd go to have discussions about the kind of decisions that could affect the changes that were happening to both Roman London and and wider Roman Britain." What's been uncovered so far are the remarkably intact foundations of a two-storey building, nearly the size of an Olympic swimming pool. Constructed between 78 and 84 A.D., the structure was erected just a few decades after Roman troops first invaded Britain and about 20 years after the destruction of Londinium by the forces of the Celtic warrior queen Boudicca. As well as the walls, excavations have also revealed several artefacts, including a roof tile stamped with the mark of an official from the ancient city. The developer, Hertshten Properties, which owns the site and holds planning permission for a new office tower, has committed to incorporating the ancient remains into the building's design and showcasing them in a public visitor centre. The display is expected to feature a glass floor, allowing visitors to view the basilica's walls below, and will also include space for food stalls and markets. "I think it's important to preserve the past. Obviously, London is a rapidly developing city, and it's great that we're growing so quickly with so much development happening. But having these tangible links to the past helps us remember where we came from and gives us a sense of connection to those who came before us," says Henderson-Schwartz. With further excavations on the horizon, the archaeological team hopes to answer several questions, such as why the original forum was only used for 20 years before being replaced by a much larger one, which continued to serve the city until the collapse of Roman rule three centuries later.
Euronews
14-02-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Archaeologists uncover extraodinary 2,000-year-old Roman basilica beneath London office
Archaeologists have made an extraordinary discovery under an office block in London: the remains of the city's first Roman basilica. It's been described as one of the most significant archaeological finds in the capital in recent years. Dating back nearly 2,000 years to the late 70s or early 80s AD, the basilica was part of the Roman forum - Londinium's administrative and social hub. "The significance of this site is that the Roman basilica really was the commercial, social, and economic hub of London," explains Andrew Henderson-Schwartz, the head of public impact at MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology), in a chat with Euronews Culture. "It's where you would go to do big business decisions and big business deals. It's where you would go to have disputes resolved by a magistrate. It's where you'd go to have discussions about the kind of decisions that could affect the changes that were happening to both Roman London and and wider Roman Britain." What's been uncovered so far are the remarkably intact foundations of a two-storey building, nearly the size of an Olympic swimming pool. Constructed between 78 and 84 A.D., the structure was erected just a few decades after Roman troops first invaded Britain and about 20 years after the destruction of Londinium by the forces of the Celtic warrior queen Boudicca. As well as the walls, excavations have also revealed several artefacts, including a roof tile stamped with the mark of an official from the ancient city. The developer, Hertshten Properties, which owns the site and holds planning permission for a new office tower, has committed to incorporating the ancient remains into the building's design and showcasing them in a public visitor centre. The display is expected to feature a glass floor, allowing visitors to view the basilica's walls below, and will also include space for food stalls and markets. "I think it's important to preserve the past. Obviously, London is a rapidly developing city, and it's great that we're growing so quickly with so much development happening. But having these tangible links to the past helps us remember where we came from and gives us a sense of connection to those who came before us," says Henderson-Schwartz. With further excavations on the horizon, the archaeological team hopes to answer several questions, such as why the original forum was only used for 20 years before being replaced by a much larger one, which continued to serve the city until the collapse of Roman rule three centuries later.
South China Morning Post
14-02-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Archaeologists unearth remains of Roman basilica at new London skyscraper site
Work to give 21st-century London yet another skyscraper has uncovered traces – in fact chunks – of the city's origins almost 2,000 years ago. Archaeologists exploring the site of a planned 32-storey office tower announced Thursday that they have unearthed the remains of a Roman basilica that once stood at the heart of the city known as Londinium. Excavations in the basement of a building slated to be demolished for the tower at 85 Gracechurch Street uncovered flint, brick and ragstone walls and foundations, up to 1 metre (over 3 feet) wide, 4 metres deep. Sophie Jackson of Museum of London Archaeology called it 'one of the most significant discoveries' in years in London's oldest quarter, the City – the square-mile financial district where modern glass high-rises stand atop the remnants of Victorian, medieval and even earlier structures. Excavations in the basement uncovered flint, brick and ragstone walls. Photo: MOLA via AP What's been uncovered are the foundations of a two-storey building, almost as big as an Olympic swimming pool. It was constructed between 78 and 84 A.D., about three decades after Roman troops invaded Britain and some 20 years after forces of the Celtic warrior queen Boudicca sacked the fledgling settlement. The basilica was part of the forum, the social, political and commercial heart of Roman London, where people went to shop, mingle, seek justice and hear the latest edicts from political leaders. The newly discovered remains are believed to form part of the tribunal, a raised area of the forum where politicians and officials made decisions about the city's governance.
The Independent
13-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
Archaeologists stunned by discovery at planned site of new London skyscraper
Beneath the foundations of a planned 32-story 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 meter wide and 4 meters 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. 'We're talking about the early stages of London here, but it's a real sign of investment in the city, even in its early infancy,' he said. Developer Hertshten Properties, which owns the site and has planning permission for a new office tower, has agreed to incorporate the remains into its plans and put them on display in a visitor center. Henderson-Schwartz said the extent of the 'absolutely massive' foundations discovered in several test pits suggests an 'extraordinary' level of preservation. Further digging could answer intriguing questions, including why the original forum was only used for 20 years before being replaced by a much larger one, which remained in use until the collapse of Roman rule in Britain three centuries later. Items such as writing tablets, styluses — even ancient trash — could give glimpses into the daily lives of Roman Londoners. Property developers in Britain routinely have to consult archaeologists as part of their planning process, a practice that has uncovered finds from Saxon jewelry to medieval ice skates to the skeletons of 14th-century plague victims. The latest discovery adds to the scant traces of Roman London that can be seen around the city, including a section of ancient wall, a portion of amphitheater beneath the Guildhall and a temple to the god Mithras which lies incongruously under the modern headquarters of information company Bloomberg. "We do have these little windows into Roman London that are all over the city,' Henderson-Schwartz said. 'But this is really in some ways the site that connects them all together. This is the heart of Rome in London, where all the decisions were made.'
Voice of America
13-02-2025
- Business
- Voice of America
Archaeologists unearth remains of Roman basilica on site of new London skyscraper
Work to give 21st-century London yet another skyscraper has uncovered traces — in fact chunks — of the city's origins almost 2,000 years ago. Archaeologists exploring the site of a planned 32-story office tower announced Thursday that they have unearthed the remains of a Roman basilica that once stood at the heart of the city known as Londinium. Excavations in the basement of a building slated to be demolished for the tower at 85 Gracechurch St. uncovered flint, brick and ragstone walls and foundations, up to 1 meter (over 3 feet) wide, 4 meters (13 feet) deep and two millennia old. Sophie Jackson of Museum of London Archaeology called it "one of the most significant discoveries" in years in London's oldest quarter, the City – the square-mile financial district where modern glass high-rises stand atop the remnants of Victorian, medieval and even earlier structures. What's been uncovered are the foundations of a two-story building, almost as big as an Olympic swimming pool. It was constructed between 78 and 84 A.D., about three decades after Roman troops invaded Britain and some 20 years after forces of the Celtic warrior queen Boudicca sacked the fledgling settlement. The basilica was part of the forum — the social, political and commercial heart of Roman London — where people went to shop, mingle, seek justice and hear the latest edicts from political leaders. The newly discovered remains are believed to form part of the tribunal, a raised area of the forum where politicians and officials made decisions about the city's governance. 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. "We're talking about the early stages of London here, but it's a real sign of investment in the city, even in its early infancy," he said. Developer Hertshten Properties, which owns the site and has planning permission for a new office tower, has agreed to incorporate the remains into its plans and put them on display in a visitor center. Henderson-Schwartz said the extent of the "absolutely massive" foundations discovered in several test pits suggests an "extraordinary" level of preservation. Further digging could answer intriguing questions, including why the original forum was only used for 20 years before being replaced by a much larger one, which remained in use until the collapse of Roman rule in Britain three centuries later. Items such as writing tablets, styluses, and even ancient trash could give glimpses into the daily lives of Roman Londoners. Property developers in Britain routinely have to consult archaeologists as part of their planning process, a practice that has uncovered finds from Saxon jewelry to medieval ice skates to the skeletons of 14th-century plague victims. The latest discovery adds to the scant traces of Roman London that can be seen around the city, including a section of ancient wall, a portion of amphitheater beneath the Guildhall and a temple to the god Mithras which lies incongruously under the modern headquarters of information company Bloomberg. "We do have these little windows into Roman London that are all over the city," Henderson-Schwartz said. "But this is really in some ways the site that connects them all together. This is the heart of Rome in London, where all the decisions were made."
