Great Britain's women achieved their best Olympic gymnastics team result in the post-war era after they finished sixth in the team final at the North Greenwich Arena.
The United States, silver medallists four years ago, won gold ahead of Russia with Romania claiming the bronze medal.
Defending champions China were left distraught as they finished fourth by some margin.
Britain's women were unable to match the achievements of their male counterparts who won Olympic team bronze, but that was never expected against gymnastics powerhouses China, Russia, United States and Romania.
Beth Tweddle, Hannah Whelan, Imogen Cairns, Rebecca Tunney and Jennifer Pinches scored 170.495 to mark their best ever result in post-war Olympic competition, surpassing the seventh place in the Los Angeles Games in 1984.
Britain's only Olympic team medal was won at the 1928 Games with a squad of 12 gymnasts.
The result comes after GB narrowly missed out on a place in the final four years ago in Beijing where they finished ninth.