Ancient Artifacts, Including 6,000-Year-Old Flint Tools, Discovered Beneath UK Parliament

Archaeologists undertaking extensive investigations beneath the Palace of Westminster in London, United Kingdom, have made a series of remarkable discoveries, including scores of 6,000-year-old flint tools. These significant finds, unearthed during preparatory work for the Palace's major restoration, are providing unprecedented insights into the deep history of central London, stretching back to prehistoric times and rewriting previous understandings of the area's early human activity.

A Glimpse into Prehistoric London

The most ancient artifacts discovered are more than 60 flint flakes, including at least one worked tool, dating back to approximately 4300 BCE. This places them firmly in the late Mesolithic or early Neolithic period, making them roughly 6,000 years old. Remarkably, these tools predate the earliest earthworks at Stonehenge by over a millennium. The flints were found in undisturbed sand deposits that once formed part of Thorney Island, an ancient landmass where prehistoric communities are believed to have engaged in fishing, hunting, and gathering food.

Diane Abrams, archaeology lead of the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority, expressed surprise at the findings, stating, 'While research suggested we might find traces of early human activity on the site, I was surprised to discover direct evidence of flint tool-making dating back to around 6,000 years ago.' She further emphasized the rarity of such discoveries in the heart of London, noting that finding prehistoric remains in central London is 'incredibly rare.'

Layers of History: From Roman to Medieval

Beyond the prehistoric tools, the archaeological team uncovered a rich tapestry of artifacts spanning millennia. Among the significant finds is a fragment of a Roman altar, estimated to be around 2,000 years old, which was likely repurposed in a later structure. Perhaps one of the most unexpected discoveries was the substantial remains of the medieval Lesser Hall, also known as White Hall, dating back to 1167. This royal dining space, which later housed both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, was long thought to have been destroyed in the Great Fire of 1834. However, archaeological evidence shows its stone walls survived the blaze and even a World War II bomb strike.

Other medieval items include:

• 800-year-old leather shoe soles, straps, and a leather boot.
• An ornate lead badge shaped like a flowering heart, a popular romantic symbol from the 14th or 15th century.
• A medieval floor tile, which served as a model for tiles used in the 19th-century rebuilding of the Palace.

Modern Echoes and Future Insights

The excavations also yielded artifacts from more recent history, including a 19th-century five-pint beer jug inscribed with 'Geo Painter', likely referring to George Painter, a tavern keeper of the historic Ship and Turtle Tavern. Fragments of intricately decorated clay tobacco pipes from the same century were also found, believed to have been used by stonemasons working on the Palace after the 1834 fire.

These discoveries are part of a phased three-year archaeological investigation program led by the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority. The findings are crucial for informing and guiding future design and construction decisions for the Palace's extensive restoration. Simon Thurley, chair of the Delivery Authority, emphasized the importance of these investigations, stating, 'As we plan for the significant restoration and renewal of Parliament, we must tread softly on the history beneath our feet, to protect it and to learn from it.' The discoveries collectively offer a profound understanding of the continuous human presence at this iconic site, from its earliest inhabitants to its role as the seat of modern governance.