Archaeologists stunned by discovery at planned site of new London skyscraper

A view of part of the wall of the Roman London Basilica which has been recently unearthed by a redevelopment of a City of London building. (MOLA via AP) - (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Beneath the foundations of a planned 32-storey 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.