Great Britain Under Monarchy in 2075
MetaculusMAR 26 2022
Ancient Roman Basilica Found Under London Office Block
Above: Gracechurch Street, London on Jan. 21, 2021. Image copyright: Thomas Krych/Contributor/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This discovery is a crucial piece of London's ancient heritage that will, thankfully, be preserved and showcased to the public. It offers unprecedented insights into the city's Roman origins and early governance structure, and adds to the growing network of accessible Roman sites in London.
Narrative B
Integrating these remains into the development requires significant architectural modifications, including reducing height and relocating structural elements. These modifications could impact the project's commercial viability and create a monoculture of glass towers that risk eroding the area's historic character. Under current plans, it's not certain this relic will be effectively protected.