£Millions Spent Unearthing Hidden Treasures Beneath Palace of Westminster
After a staggering 7,500 hours of intense surveying, experts have uncovered fascinating historical relics beneath the iconic Palace of Westminster. These vital discoveries will guide urgent restoration work to save the crumbling seat of British democracy.
200-Year-Old Bone Fish Gaming Counter Found Under House of Lords
Archaeologists struck gold when Roland Tillyer, Senior Geoarchaeologist at Museum of London Archaeology, spotted a finely carved fish made from animal bone deep under the House of Lords’ Royal Court. This 18th-century fish is a rare gaming counter, likely used for card games in the Georgian era.
Michael Marshall, MOLA Finds Team Leader, said:
“This carved bone fish is a gaming counter. Counters like this were commonly used at gaming tables in Britain during the 18th and 19th century as tokens for scoring. Jane Austen even mentioned them in Pride and Prejudice, describing Lydia Bennet winning and losing fish while playing games.”
The quirky find highlights the Palace’s hidden archaeology and its unexpected link to Britain’s literary past.
More Hidden Secrets and Serious Repairs Ahead
Other archaeological triumphs include the discovery of long-forgotten ventilation shafts and the condition assessment of vital utilities like heating and electrical systems—all overdue for replacement after more than 50 years.
This follows last year’s possible unearthing of a medieval Thames River wall running beneath the Parliament buildings, adding even more weight to the need for urgent restoration.
David Goldstone, CEO of the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority, said:
“Reaching 7,500 hours of intrusive surveying is a massive milestone. Hundreds of specialists across the UK have contributed to saving the Palace of Westminster for future generations. The data we’ve gathered will steer essential restoration plans to protect this historic building and those who work and visit here daily.”
The Mammoth Task to Save the Palace
The Palace of Westminster spans the size of 16 football pitches with ancient, interconnected water, electricity, sewage, and gas systems. Most are over half a century old and have now reached the end of their lives.
While dozens of smaller repair projects are underway, the scale of the challenge demands a huge overhaul. In July 2022, MPs and Lords agreed on a coordinated approach prioritising safety-critical work. Plans for full restoration will be finalised after members vote on strategic proposals by the end of 2023.
The Fascinating Story Behind the Bone Fish
Fish counters came in many forms, including fancy mother-of-pearl examples imported from China. The newly found fish was carefully carved from a solid animal bone—probably from a cow or horse limb.
Its maker whittled and polished the shape, saw-cut the mouth, and inscribed an intricate ‘ring-and-dot’ eye pattern, possibly filled with black wax to make it stand out against the bone’s creamy colour.
This extraordinary glimpse into Georgian leisure offers a unique connection to the lives of those who once walked these hallowed halls centuries ago.
