Galliford Try has found a series of artefacts during the archaeological dig at a site in Wapping, East London.
The items include a penny coin from King George III’s reign (1760-1820), a Celtic Harp brooch, a domino with a bone facing and a tobacco smoking pipe.
A notice on the site’s hoarding said the findings are estimated to date from the 18th century.
It added that the contractor may discover older items over the coming weeks as it digs further into the site’s foundations.
Galliford Try is building a new £34m facility for Big Yellow Self Storage off The Highway to replace the company’s existing unit next door.
The 12,000 sq m part five- and part eight-storey building will include a self-storage facility next to flexible office and workspace ready for immediate occupancy.
The project includes piled foundations, a reinforced concrete and structural steel superstructure, brickwork and glazed facades and a composite deck roof.
Galliford Try said it is carrying out archaeological mitigation works as part of the project due to the site’s historical importance.
The Highway, formerly known as the Ratcliffe Highway, runs parallel to Cable Street and Commercial Road.
The route dates back to Roman times and became infamous in the 19th century after attacks on two separate families that resulted in seven fatalities.
