Bloomberg Philanthropies, an American philanthropic group, have offered the London Museum a generous gift: A record £20 million and over 14,000 Roman objects. This is the largest single private donation and the largest group of archaeological records ever given to the museum. The artefacts were uncovered while Bloomberg’s European base in the City of London was constructed between 2012 and 2014. Next year, when the museum moves into its new building in Smithfield, these treasures will be unveiled for the general public to view and admire.
The museum director, Sharon Ament, described the collection as “a momentous gift that ties the past to the future and will leave a lasting legacy for London.” Bloomberg Philanthropies, the charitable arm of the global financial news organization Bloomberg, was founded by Michael R. Bloomberg, former New York mayor and business leader. Reflecting on the donation, Bloomberg said, “These remarkable artefacts offer a unique window into the past, connecting us directly to the voices of its ancient inhabitants. As someone considering London my second home, I’m honoured that our company can help bring these stories to life while strengthening the City’s future.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also praised the gift, stating, “Bloomberg has been an enormous cultural ally of London, and this is a fantastic example of how public and private can join forces to make ambitious plans for the future of our capital.” In September, Mayor Khan and the Corporation of London pledged another £25 million to the museum in addition to their initial support.
The Bloomberg website, renowned for its temple to the Roman god Mithras, yielded some of Britain’s most significant Roman discoveries. The finds include the country’s oldest and most extensive collection of Roman writing tablets, with the earliest written reference to London. The temple and around 600 artefacts have been on show at the London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE since 2017. After closing the London Wall site, the London Museum will resume operations in its new Smithfield site in 2026.
The City of London, built above the Roman City of Londinium, is a treasure trove of hidden history. The artefacts donated by Bloomberg Philanthropies include decorated pots, leather boots, fragments of sword blades, wooden tablets used for writing, styluses (the predecessors of modern-day pens), and bone amulets carved into shape and carried by Roman soldiers for divine protection. The artefacts give a picture of the way of life in ancient London, bringing their histories to life to be enjoyed by generations to come.
Top Photo © P C Robinson Artlyst 2025