Discoveries predating Stonehenge beneath Parliament rewrite early history of London

During a three-year archaeological project linked to the upcoming restoration of the Palace of Westminster, experts have made remarkable discoveries, including items that predate Stonehenge, according to UK officials.

On November 19, the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority revealed that the excavations had uncovered relics spanning from the Mesolithic era to the 19th century. Among these were flint chips dating back to the Mesolithic period.

The Palace, also known as the Houses of Parliament, originally served as a royal residence. The oldest surviving structure on the site is Westminster Hall, built in 1097 under William II.

Archaeologists discovered 60 flint fragments dating as far back as 4300 BC, created for toolmaking purposes, predating Stonehenge, which began construction around 3100 BC. These flints were found in untouched sand layers that once formed part of Thorney Island, an area where prehistoric communities fished, hunted, and foraged, according to the Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority. The finds provide a rare window into early human life in what is now central London.

Additional discoveries include medieval leather shoe soles, an 800-year-old leather boot, 19th-century pottery, and tobacco pipes. A five-pint beer jug inscribed in the 19th century was found, along with fragments of a 2,000-year-old Roman altar and a heart-shaped lead badge from the Middle Ages.

The excavation also revealed the remains of Lesser Hall, a medieval building from 1167 thought to have been a royal dining hall. Over the centuries, this space hosted key institutions such as the Court of Chancery, the Court of Requests, and at times both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Officials described this as the most important find of the current investigations, offering crucial insights into the historical layout and survival of structures beneath the modern Palace. Remarkably, the stone walls and foundations of Westminster Hall survived both the 1834 fire and bombing during World War II.

Analysis: Unveiling London’s Hidden Past Through Archaeology

The ongoing excavation at the Palace of Westminster is shedding light on London's ancient history in ways that few could have anticipated. Spanning thousands of years, the discovered relics illustrate the layers of human activity in a location that has long been central to British political life. The discovery of Mesolithic-era flint fragments predating Stonehenge by over a millennium provides a tangible connection to early human presence in what is now the heart of London.

What is particularly notable about these finds is the depth of history they reveal. The flints, crafted as tools, were uncovered in pristine sand layers, untouched by later constructions. This suggests that ancient communities lived and thrived on Thorney Island long before the establishment of Westminster as a royal seat. These discoveries provide us with a rare glimpse into prehistoric life, offering insights into the activities of people who fished, hunted, and foraged in the area.

Moreover, the uncovering of lesser-known medieval structures, such as the remains of Lesser Hall, serves as an important reminder of the dynamic history beneath the surface of the Palace. This building, thought to have been a royal dining hall, helps contextualize the evolution of the site from a royal residence to a seat of political power. The survival of Westminster Hall’s stone foundations, even after the 1834 fire and World War II bombings, speaks volumes about the resilience of historical landmarks.

These archaeological finds enrich our understanding of not just the Palace itself, but of the evolving city of London. As the restoration project progresses, the treasures unearthed here will likely continue to reveal significant chapters of the city’s past, offering a deeper appreciation for its rich and varied history.

Sources:

• Beneath Parliament: Finds predating Stonehenge rewrite London’s early history