During restorations at the Palace of Westminster in London, excavations have revealed a trove of historic objects, the oldest of which date to around 4300 B.C.E.

Evidence of prehistoric flint tool-making dating to approximately 4300 B.C.E.

At London’s Palace of Westminster, home to Britain’s Parliament, archaeologists have uncovered a diverse collection of artifacts, ranging from a 19th-century beer jug to prehistoric flint flakes dating back 6,000 years.

The discoveries were made by researchers from the Museum of London Archaeology during excavations commissioned by the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Program’s Delivery Authority. The digs are part of an ongoing project designed to explore Westminster’s rich history and guide restoration efforts.

“The Palace of Westminster has played a central role in the nation’s story for a thousand years, witnessing events that have shaped the U.K.,” said historian Simon Thurley, chair of the Delivery Authority. “As we carry out major restoration and renewal, we must proceed carefully to preserve and learn from the history lying beneath our feet.”

The 60 prehistoric flint fragments date back to around 4300 B.C.E. The irregularly broken stones indicate tool-making activity from the late Mesolithic or early Neolithic periods, according to the statement. Flint was commonly used during these eras for its sharp edges, and among the fragments discovered in sand deposits near Westminster was a complete tool. These sand layers were once part of Thorney Island, where prehistoric communities fished, hunted, and foraged.

“Although research suggested there might be traces of early human activity here, I was surprised to find direct evidence of flint tool-making from about 6,000 years ago,” said Diane Abrams, archaeology lead for the Delivery Authority. She added that uncovering prehistoric remains in central London is “incredibly rare.”

The excavations also revealed substantial remains of the Lesser Hall, a medieval two-story structure also known as the White Hall. Built in 1167, it originally served as a royal dining hall and later accommodated the Court of Chancery, the Court of Requests, and at times both the House of Commons and House of Lords.

Abrams described the hall’s remains as one of the “most exciting and unexpected” finds of the project. “It was uncertain how much of it would survive beneath the current courtyard and car park,” she said.

In 1834, while Lesser Hall housed the House of Lords, a fire broke out in the basement furnace room, sparking the Great Fire of 1834. The recent excavation showed that the hall’s medieval stone walls survived the blaze. The building was reroofed and remained in use until its demolition in 1851. According to the statement, these walls are “the most significant discovery of the current archaeological investigations,” offering “vital insights into the layout and preservation of historic structures beneath the modern palace.”

The medieval stone remnants of Lesser Hal.

Abrams told Fox News Digital that the remains of Lesser Hall and other pre-1834 structures at Westminster were meticulously recorded, with some even reconstructed as 3D models, before being reburied for preservation.

Beyond the flints and medieval structures, the team also uncovered a Roman altar fragment, estimated to be about 2,000 years old, which was likely reused in a later building. Other finds included 800-year-old shoe soles, straps, and a leather boot. The archaeologists additionally discovered a lead badge shaped like a flowering heart, a romantic symbol dating to the 14th or 15th century.

A 19th-century five-pint beer jug with the words “Geo Painter"

The team found several artifacts dating to the 19th century, like fragments of clay tobacco pipes probably smoked by the stonemasons working in the wake of the 1834 fire. They also unearthed a five-pint beer jug marked with the words “Ship and Turtle Tavern” and “Geo Painter”—likely referring to George Painter, owner of the tavern.