The first Roman basilica found in London will soon be incorporated into modern architecture—blending ‘then’ and ‘now’ into one.

An office building from the 1930s in the heart of London was about to be demolished and redeveloped by its owners — until archaeologists unearthed remnants of the city’s first Roman basilica in the basement.

The basilica, dating back some 1,900 years, was found during excavations that took place as part of the demolition of a building in the heart of London.

Beneath an old office building in London, archaeologists unearthed the ruins of a 2,000-year-old Roman basilica that was remarkably well-preserved. […]