Archaeologists Discover 6,000-Year-Old Flint Tools Beneath Britain’s Houses of Parliament

LONDON, England — December 1, 2025 — Archaeologists conducting excavations beneath the Palace of Westminster have uncovered flint tools dating back to approximately 4300 BC, making them older than Stonehenge, officials said. The discovery was announced on November 19 by the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority, which is overseeing a three-year investigation to inform upcoming restoration work on the historic site.

The flint fragments, believed to be remnants of prehistoric toolmaking, were found in undisturbed sand deposits that were once part of Thorney Island, a sandy area near the River Thames. This area later developed into the medieval center of Westminster. According to the authority, these rare finds provide insight into early human activity in what is now central London, where prehistoric communities likely fished, hunted, and gathered food.

Diane Abrams, the archaeology lead at the Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority, described the discovery of in situ prehistoric remains in central London as “incredibly rare.” She noted that while researchers anticipated finding traces of early human activity, the direct evidence of flint tool-making dating back around 6,000 years was unexpected.

In addition to the prehistoric artifacts, the excavation revealed a range of items spanning centuries, including medieval leather boot and shoe soles dating back roughly 800 years. The team also uncovered 19th-century decorated clay tobacco pipes and a five-pint beer jug inscribed with “Geo[rge] Painter.”

Further findings included a fragment of a 2,000-year-old Roman altar, which was likely repurposed, and a heart-shaped lead badge from the Middle Ages. The Palace of Westminster itself, also known as the Houses of Parliament, was originally used as a royal residence in the 11th century, with its oldest surviving structure, Westminster Hall, built in 1097 for William II.

These discoveries highlight the long and varied history of the site, revealing layers of human activity from prehistoric times through the medieval period and into the modern era. The ongoing archaeological work is part of a broader effort to preserve and restore the Palace of Westminster, a site of significant historical and cultural importance in the United Kingdom.