Discover the story of London before the city was even built
London before London explores the rich lives of the people living in the Lower Thames Valley from around 450,000 BC until the creation of the Roman city of Londinium around AD 50.
Around 200,000 years ago this giant, woolly mammoth walked across a cold landscape that would become modern day Ilford.
Iron Age chariot fitting, 350 BC – 150 BC
This is a fitting from an Iron Age chariot. It is decorated in the swirling stylised patterns of the period and, demonstrating that the chariot owner was a person of style and wealth.
Axe and pots from the Neolithic period, 4,000 BC – 2,200 BC
Prehistoric hunters used every part of the animals they hunted. Deer antlers made tough tools.
Neolithic mace head, 2900 BC – 2100 BC
This beautiful mace head was made of stone from the Orkneys. Carefully polished and shaped, it was thrown into the river as a sacrifice to the Thames.
River Wall
For thousands of years people placed precious objects, including the bodies of the dead, into the Thames. This display showcases many of the treasures recovered from its waters.
Bronze Age swords
The museum holds a nationally important collection of Bronze Age material. In the gallery you can see the wealth of objects, including stunning bronze weapons.
Neolithic bowls, 3500 BC
The person who made this bowl certainly left an impression. From casts of the finger indentations around the neck, we know its decorator had slender fingers and long nails.
Neolithic Jadeite axe, 4000 BC – 2200 BC
This axehead was made to look beautiful, not to be used. The jadeite stone is from the Alps and it would have been considered a precious object amongst in the Thames Valley 6000 years ago.
The Shepperton Woman
The reconstructed head of one of London’s oldest residents is displayed next to her skeleton. This neolithic hunter-gatherer was buried in Shepperton between 5640 and 5100 years ago.
Harper Road Woman
This young woman was a witness to history. She was alive at the time of the Roman invasion of Britain and may have been aware of the destruction of Londinium by Boudica. .
Gallery access
The gallery is open during the museum's normal hours:
10am-5pm, Monday-Sunday
The gallery is on the entrance floor and can be accessed by lift.
London before London also of interest
3D Prehistoric objects
Get a 360 degrees view of some of our collection objects!