Archaeologists in London’s financial district have uncovered a massive section of Roman masonry, revealing the remains of a nearly 2,000-year-old town hall—one of the most significant finds in the city since an ancient amphitheater was discovered in the 1980s.
The structure, identified as part of a grand Roman basilica built around 80 C.E., was discovered beneath a commercial building on Gracechurch Street, an area that was once the forum of Londinium, the Roman settlement that thrived for centuries.
The basilica was the heart of the Roman city, serving as an administrative center, law court, and marketplace, where magistrates made rulings and merchants conducted business.
🧱 Key Findings:
✔️ Thick Roman stone walls, several feet wide and dozens of feet long
✔️ Built around 80 C.E., shortly after Londinium recovered from a major revolt
✔️ Estimated to have stood nearly 40 feet tall, designed to impress and intimidate
🗣️ “It’s remarkable that such an important piece of London’s history has survived so much redevelopment over the centuries.” — Jane Sidell, Historic England
The excavation, carried out by the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), was required under UK heritage laws before redevelopment could proceed.
The site’s developer, Hertshten Properties Limited, has pledged to showcase some of the artifacts in public exhibits—echoing a similar effort by Michael Bloomberg, who preserved a Roman temple found under his London headquarters.
🔍 Historical Significance:
✔️ Confirms the location of Londinium’s central forum
✔️ One of Britain’s largest Roman buildings at the time
✔️ Provides insight into Roman influence on law, trade, and governance
📜 “Standing face to face with something 2,000 years old creates a powerful connection to history.” — Jane Sidell
Pope Francis is showing improvement, the Vatican said, as the pontiff began his eighth day in hospital. Francis was admitted after struggling with breathing and is being treated for pneumonia.
The 14th Sharjah Light Festival is lighting up Sharjah, UAE, with a stunning fusion of technology and cultural heritage.
China's centuries-old treasures have been pulled out of storage to be restored for display at Beijing's Forbidden City and Palace Museum. Meticulous repairs are needed ahead of the museum's 100th anniversary this year.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for February 21st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Marco Rubio says a Trump-Putin meeting hinges on resolving the Ukraine war.
Pope Francis is showing improvement, the Vatican said, as the pontiff began his eighth day in hospital. Francis was admitted after struggling with breathing and is being treated for pneumonia.
EU boosts undersea cable security with nearly €1B reallocation, enhancing surveillance, deterrence, and rapid response. A new data-sharing system, drone program, and emergency repair fleet aim to protect critical infrastructure amid rising sabotage concerns.
China's centuries-old treasures have been pulled out of storage to be restored for display at Beijing's Forbidden City and Palace Museum. Meticulous repairs are needed ahead of the museum's 100th anniversary this year.
USAID has long promoted itself as a supporter of press freedom, but reports suggest its media funding may have influenced domestic narratives in Europe and post-Soviet states. With the Trump administration freezing its grants, the agency’s role in shaping global information is under scrutiny.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
A tragic crowd crush at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night left 18 dead and 10 injured as thousands of people, many heading to the Kumbh Mela festival, attempted to board delayed trains. The incident highlights the ongoing risks of overcrowding at public transportation hubs in India.
China's centuries-old treasures have been pulled out of storage to be restored for display at Beijing's Forbidden City and Palace Museum. Meticulous repairs are needed ahead of the museum's 100th anniversary this year.
The 14th Sharjah Light Festival is lighting up Sharjah, UAE, with a stunning fusion of technology and cultural heritage.
Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli, long term producers of the British spy thriller James Bond have stepped down from their respective positions.
Egyptologists have made a historic discovery—the first royal tomb uncovered since Tutankhamun’s in 1922. A British-Egyptian team has found the long-lost burial site of Pharaoh Thutmose II in Luxor, solving a major archaeological mystery.
Netherlands has become the latest European country to return artefacts to Africa after it signed an agreement pledging to return 119 'stolen' historical artefacts to Nigeria after extensive consultation with its Colonial collections committee.
Pope Francis is showing improvement, the Vatican said, as the pontiff began his eighth day in hospital. Francis was admitted after struggling with breathing and is being treated for pneumonia.
EU boosts undersea cable security with nearly €1B reallocation, enhancing surveillance, deterrence, and rapid response. A new data-sharing system, drone program, and emergency repair fleet aim to protect critical infrastructure amid rising sabotage concerns.
China's centuries-old treasures have been pulled out of storage to be restored for display at Beijing's Forbidden City and Palace Museum. Meticulous repairs are needed ahead of the museum's 100th anniversary this year.
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