Archaeological excavations at the heart of London’s political power have revealed remarkable prehistoric tools, medieval treasures, and architectural remains spanning six millennia beneath the Palace of Westminster. The discoveries, unearthed during restoration work, provide unprecedented insights into human activity at the site that predates even Stonehenge. Among the finds are over 60 struck flint tools from around 4300 BC, fragments of a Roman altar, medieval footwear, and perhaps most remarkably, the remains of a royal dining hall thought to have been lost to history.

The ongoing investigation, conducted by the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), forms part of the Palace’s ambitious Restoration and Renewal program. These excavations are taking place across nine locations throughout the Parliamentary estate, from Black Rod’s Garden to the Thames foreshore. The work aims not only to document the buried heritage but also to inform future restoration decisions with respect to the site’s extraordinary archaeological importance.

Prehistoric Discoveries Reveal Ancient Settlement

The most ancient artifacts discovered belong to the Late Mesolithic or Early Neolithic period, dating to approximately 4300 BC. More than 60 worked flint flakes, including one distinctively shaped tool, were found preserved in deep, undisturbed sand deposits, according to Archaeology Magazine. These prehistoric implements suggest that the area once known as Thorney Island served as a vital resource hub for early British communities.

The presence of these tools indicates that hunter-gatherer societies utilized this Thames-side location for fishing, hunting, and foraging long before the emergence of organized settlements. Their preservation in pristine sands makes them exceptionally rare finds in the urban landscape of modern London. Lord McFall of Alcluith remarked in an official statement:

“The history of Westminster is long, fascinating and well-documented. Discoveries such as these allow us to add to our knowledge of this ancient site.”

Late Mesolithic-Early Neolithic flint tools dating to around 4300 BC, discovered in undisturbed sands beneath Westminster Palace. (MOLA 2025)

Medieval Treasures and Victorian Artifacts Tell Centuries of Stories

The excavations have yielded a diverse collection of artifacts spanning multiple historical periods. A fragment of a Roman altar, more than two millennia old, appears to have been repurposed and incorporated into later construction at the site. This practice of reusing ancient materials reflects common medieval building techniques and provides evidence of Roman London’s enduring influence on the area.

Among the medieval artifacts recovered, archaeologists discovered several pieces of leather footwear including a boot and multiple shoe soles from approximately 800 years ago. These items offer tangible connections to the daily lives of medieval Londoners. A particularly intriguing find is a decorated lead badge shaped like a flowering heart, a common emblem worn by pilgrims and merchants during the 14th and 15th centuries.

Medieval lead badge shaped like a flowering heart, dated to the 14th-15th centuries. (MOLA 2025)

The Victorian period is represented by several decorated clay tobacco pipe fragments and a five-pint beer jug inscribed with the name of George Painter, a tavern keeper of the historic Ship and Turtle Tavern in London’s Leadenhall area, as reported by All That’s Interesting. These pipes likely belonged to stonemasons working on the Palace’s reconstruction following the devastating fire of 1834, providing intimate glimpses into the lives of workers who rebuilt one of Britain’s most iconic structures.

Lost Medieval Hall Emerges From Beneath Parliament

Perhaps the most spectacular discovery came in August 2025 with the unearthing of significant remains from the medieval Lesser Hall, also known as the White Hall. Constructed in 1167 during the reign of Henry II, this hall originally served as a royal dining space before being adapted for various Parliamentary functions over the centuries. At different times, it housed both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, making it one of the most politically significant spaces in English history.

Uncovering of the remains of the Medieval Lesser Hall or White Hall. (©R&R Delivery Authority)

Historians had long believed that the Lesser Hall was completely destroyed in the catastrophic fire of 1834 that razed much of the old Palace of Westminster. However, the new archaeological evidence reveals that substantial sections of the hall’s stone walls survived the conflagration, were subsequently repaired, and remained in use well into the mid-19th century. Even more remarkably, some portions survived a nearby bombing during World War II, demonstrating the robust construction techniques employed by medieval masons.