A discovery made beneath the basement of a business building has been called one of the most significant finds of Roman history in London.
Archaeologists have discovered a significant part of the ancient city's first basilica, a 2,000-year-old public edifice where crucial political, economic, and administrative decisions were made.
Excavations have uncovered sections of a stone foundation wall that would have formed the base of a large basilica, which stood approximately two-and-a-half stories high.
The forthcoming site, which will be made accessible to the public, provides insight into the city's origins.
This building will reveal a lot about London's beginnings, explain why the city developed, and why it was selected as the capital of Britain. It's truly remarkable.
The site was found at 85 Gracechurch Street, a building that houses an office and is scheduled to be torn down and redeveloped.
Preliminary archaeological excavations identified the approximate site of the ancient basilica, prompting the team to dig several small test trenches to uncover what lay beneath the concrete pavement.
On the third try, after rummaging through the file cabinets, they finally found what they were looking for.
"The Roman masonry is incredibly well-preserved, and it's remarkable that such a large portion has survived in this condition. We're extremely pleased to have so much of it here," said Sophie Jackson.
The wall is constructed from a specific type of limestone found in Kent, giving rise to a striking building - the basilica would have measured approximately 40 meters in length, 20 meters in width, and 12 meters in height.
Other artifacts have been discovered as well, including a roof tile bearing the seal of a government official from the ancient city.
The basilica formed a part of London's forum, a social and commercial center featuring a central courtyard roughly the size of a football field.
"The town hall is the basilica, and in front of it is a large open market square surrounded by various shops and offices," explained Ms Jackson.
It's the location where you would go to conduct business, resolve your court case, where laws were established, and where decisions were made not only about London but also about the rest of the country.
It was constructed approximately 80 AD, a few decades after the Romans conquered Britain and established Londinium, the Roman name for the city.
However, the initial basilica and forum were only in operation for roughly twenty years before being superseded by a significantly larger second forum, which might indicate how rapidly the city was expanding in terms of size and influence.
The discovery has resulted in a change of plans for the building's owners, Hertshten Properties.
The Roman remains will be fully excavated and incorporated into the new offices, pending planning approval, and made accessible to the public.
For architects, redesigning a building around an archaeological site has presented some technical difficulties.
"The scheme has been thoroughly revised," explained James Taylor from architectural firm Woods Bagot.
The columns have had to be relocated, so we're not damaging the unique stones that are embedded in the ground.
In order to avoid disrupting what already exists, fewer elevators can be installed, and as a result, the team has had to shorten the building's height.
He believes the effort will be worthwhile.
It will be truly amazing to witness people utilizing and appreciating the space, walking through the public area and then proceeding to view the remnants.
This is the most recent Roman relic to be unearthed beneath the streets of London's financial district. Meanwhile, there is an increasing initiative to find creative ways to make these sites accessible to the public.
Some parts of an amphitheater are on display under a glass floor at the Guildhall Art Gallery, and at Bloomberg's offices, visitors can see the Temple of Mithras, which has been brought to life with an immersive sound and light installation.
Chris Hayward from the City of London Corporation wants more people to discover the connection between the past and the present.
"It's truly incredible to think that a piece of ancient Roman London is beneath our feet," he said.
You can actually see and visualize how Roman London would have been in those times. Then, you can step outside and observe the contrast, saying, 'look at the skyscrapers and office buildings', this represents progress, yet simultaneously, progress is combined with preservation.