What ancient artifacts were found beneath the Palace of Westminster?

Archaeologists found 6,000-year-old flint tools, Roman frescoes and altar fragments, and remains of the medieval Lesser Hall.

How old are the prehistoric flint tools found in London?

The flint tools are approximately 6,000 years old, predating Stonehenge.

What is significant about the Lesser Hall discovery?

Lesser Hall, built in 1167, is a remarkably preserved medieval building that played key roles in parliamentary history.

Home / Science / Prehistoric Flints Predate Stonehenge in London

Prehistoric Flints Predate Stonehenge in London

1 Dec, 2025

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Summary

6,000-year-old flint tools found, predating Stonehenge.
Ancient Roman frescoes and altar fragments discovered.
Medieval Lesser Hall, built in 1167, remarkably preserved.

Prehistoric Flints Predate Stonehenge in London

An archaeological investigation beneath London's Palace of Westminster has revealed a remarkable timeline of human activity. The most ancient finds include 6,000-year-old flint tool fragments, predating Stonehenge and offering insights into prehistoric fishing and gathering communities that inhabited the area now known as Thorney Island.

Further discoveries include fragments of a 2,000-year-old Roman altar and 1,800-year-old frescoes, suggesting high-status Roman presence. Medieval relics, such as 800-year-old boot soles and the well-preserved remains of Lesser Hall, a 1167 royal building significant in parliamentary history, were also unearthed.

These findings, including 19th-century artifacts like tobacco pipes and a beer jug, will inform future restoration plans for Parliament. The preservation of Lesser Hall's stone walls and foundations, surviving fires and wartime bombing, is a testament to its historical importance and structural resilience.