An office building from the 1930s in London was about to be demolished — until remnants of the city’s first Roman basilica were found in the basement.

While preparing for demolition of one office building and construction of another right in the heart of London, workers just uncovered remains of the city's original Roman basilica. Built circa 80 C.E.

Experts are surprised at how much of the basilica, or town hall, survived. The ancient building was part of Roman London’s political and commercial center.

Archeologists exploring the site of a planned 32-story office tower announced Thursday that they have unearthed remains of a Roman basilica that once stood at the heart of the city known as Londinium.

The 2,000-year-old basilica was “once the beating heart of Roman London,” the Museum of London Archaeology said.

While exploring the site of a 32-story planned skyscraper in London, archaeologists unearthed the ruins of a nearly 2,000-year-old Roman basilica.

The remarkably well-preserved basilica was part of a public meeting place where citizens and politicians could socialize, shop and hear speeches in the growing city