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archaeologist Digging beneath the Palace of Westminster Recently, valuable historical treasures have been unearthed, some of which predate Stonehenge.
In a Nov. 19 announcement, the Reichstag Restoration and Renewal Grant Authority said it had discovered artifacts ranging from Mesolithic flint chips to 19th-century artifacts.
The excavations were part of a three-year study aimed at determining the direction of future restoration work on the palace.
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, was first used as a royal residence in the 11th century. The oldest surviving building is Westminster Hall, built in 1097 for King William II.
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Archaeologists working in the basement of the Palace of Westminster have uncovered a variety of artifacts dating back thousands of years, revealing rare traces of early human activity. (Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority Ltd; iStock)
The oldest remains found during excavations are 60 pieces of flint produced during tool making and are thought to date back to 4300 BC. Flintflake is older than Stonehenge, whose construction began in 3100 BC.
The prehistoric site was once part of Thorney Island, a sandy stretch of land near the River Thames that later became the center of medieval Westminster.
“The flint was discovered in an undisturbed sand deposit that once formed part of Thorney Island, an area where prehistoric communities are thought to have fished, hunted and gathered food,” the Department of Restoration and Reclamation said in a statement.
“These rare finds offer a glimpse into early human life in what is now central London.”
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Diane Abrams, director of archeology for the Office of Restoration and Reclamation, told Fox News Digital that prehistoric remains have been discovered in situ. central london “It’s incredibly rare.”
“Research had suggested that evidence of early human activity could be found at this site, but we were surprised to find direct evidence of flint tool making dating back about 6,000 years,” Abrams said.
Investigators, who carried out a three-year survey under council, uncovered artifacts dating back centuries, including items that reveal how people once lived and worked at the historic site. (Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority Ltd)
Archaeologists also found 800-year-old medieval leather boots and shoe soles, a clay tobacco pipe with 19th-century decorations, and a 19th-century five-pint beer mug inscribed with “Geo.”[rge] painter. “
They also found fragments of a 2,000-year-old Roman altar, likely reused, and a heart-shaped lead badge dating back to the Middle Ages.
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One of the most important moments was when archaeologists excavated the remains of the Lesser Hall, a medieval building dating back to 1167. The hall, which was originally built as a royal dining space, marked a “significant moment in Parliament’s history,” officials said.
“For centuries, it was home to the Court of Chancery, the Court of Appeal and, at various times, the House of Commons and the House of Lords,” the Restoration and Renewal Grants Authority said.
Excavators discovered the foundations of Lesser Hall, a medieval building dating back to 1167 that once hosted royal dining events. (Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority Ltd)
“This is the most important discovery of the current archaeological survey and provides important insight into the placement and survival of the historic buildings beneath the modern palace.”
Excavators discovered the stone walls and original foundations of Lesser Hall. They were wonderfully preserved through both the Great Fire of 1834 and the bombing of World War II.
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Abrams told Fox News Digital that the hole was one of the “most exciting and unexpected” discoveries of the excavation.
“It’s unclear how much will remain under the current courtyard and parking lot,” she said.
“The findings will also guide the design and planning of the council’s future remediation works.”
“Today, its ruins and other pre-1834 structures have been carefully recorded and even converted into 3D digital models before being reburied for protection.”
Archaeologists also discovered later restorations of the hall, including the red brickwork that once separated two adjacent sites.
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“There is also a larger red brick wall that likely belonged to the basement dividing the two lots shown on the 1739 plan,” Abrams said.
“These details are archeology and history Visit this place to learn more about the people of the past who lived and worked there. ”
Medieval artifacts discovered during the excavations of the Capitol were discovered along with items from other eras, revealing how the site evolved through centuries of activity and daily life. (Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority Ltd)
Overall, Abrams said the discovery “reveals a surprising timeline of human activity at this iconic site.”
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“The findings will also guide the design and planning of the council’s future remediation works,” she said.
