Bloomberg has donated more than 14,000 Roman artifacts unearthed from the excavation of its new building to the London Museum.
During the construction of Bloomberg’s European HQ in London between 2012-14, more than 14,000 artifacts were unearthed from the underground Roman temple once dedicated to the Roman god Mithras. The cult of Mithras was mysterious even in its own time, becoming infamous for its secrecy and bull sacrifice. The unearthed temple – called a Mithraeum – consisted of a long rectangular room with tables lined across the walls where the worshippers might have sat and eaten together.
The unearthed artifacts contain a trove of clothing, pottery, furniture, jewelry, and other fragmented objects. However, the most valuable findings were the 405 wooden tablets – the largest such collection found on any Roman site. The tablets also contain the first-ever reference to the city of Rome itself. Speaking for the unearthed collection, Michael R. Bloomberg (founder of Bloomberg LP) said: “These remarkable artifacts offer a unique window into the past, connecting us directly to the voices of its ancient inhabitants.”
Also Read: Artist Jo Messer Found involved In 2021 Theft Of Elvis Sculpture
Apart from the artifacts, Bloomberg also announced to donate £20 million ($26 million) to the London Museum. This amount is meant to support the ongoing renovation of Smithfield market buildings and their conversion to a new museum space. The new space is expected to open in 2026; once opened, it is expected to attract a footfall of more than two million annually. The donation by Bloomberg marks the largest donation ever given to the London Museum. Sharon Ament (Director, London Museum) said: “[this will have] a lasting legacy […] from setting high standards in sustainability to creating new apprenticeships for young people; moving the dial on digital opportunities to involving a record number of Londoners in the making of the museum.”
