Excavation at Palace of Westminster Reveals 6,000 Years of History

Archaeological excavations beneath London's Palace of Westminster have revealed over 6,000 years of history, according to a statement from the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority.

The excavations, conducted by the Museum of London Archaeology, uncovered the oldest materials, including 60 flint flakes dating back to around 4300 B.C. The site was once part of Thorney Island, where late Mesolithic and early Neolithic communities engaged in fishing, hunting, and gathering.

Notable finds also include a fragment of a Roman altar, a medieval leather boot, and a five-pint beer jug inscribed with the name Geo Painter, linked to a tavern keeper of the historic Ship and Turtle Tavern in London's Leadenhall area.

Additionally, parts of the medieval Lesser Hall, known as White Hall, were uncovered, a structure believed to have been destroyed by the Great Fire of 1834, dating back to 1167 and previously serving as a royal dining space.

Historic England's David Brock emphasized the significance of these finds, which illustrate the rich tapestry of human experience at this site.