The London Museum Docklands hosts an exhibition, “Secrets of the Thames: Mudlarking London’s Lost Treasures,” showcasing artefacts uncovered along the river. It features over 350 items, linking them to London’s vast historical narrative. The event highlights the dangers and joys of mudlarking, affirming the Thames as a vital archaeological site. Tickets start from £16, with the exhibition running for a year.
An exhibition titled “Secrets of the Thames: Mudlarking London’s Lost Treasures” has opened at the London Museum Docklands, focusing on the art of mudlarking, or searching for artefacts along the Thames’ foreshore. This major exhibition showcases over 350 objects that highlight the river’s significance in London’s rich history spanning more than 10,000 years. The Thames has been a site of human activity and historical remnants since prehistoric times through various periods, including Roman and Viking invasions.
Historically, mudlarking began in the early 1800s, primarily as a way for the impoverished to scavenge the foreshore for sellable items. This often perilous pursuit, especially for children and women, involved navigating dangerous tides and hazardous conditions. Today, licensed mudlarks, with a growing interest since 2020, carefully search for treasures that may have been preserved in the river’s unique environment.
The exhibition features numerous interesting finds, including a medieval gold ring, a Viking-era dagger, and items like clay pipes and 18th-Century false teeth. Many artefacts are displayed for the first time, showcasing excellent preservation due to the humid, clay environment of the Thames. Local artist and mudlark Amy-Leigh Bird illustrates the beauty in everyday objects, encouraging visitors to recognise the stories behind each artefact from the river.
Bird’s sculpture “Ancient Ruins,” composed of collected bones, highlights the importance of overlooked fragments of history. The exhibition offers visitors an immersive experience, inviting them to explore the story behind each find. Curator Kate Sumnall emphasizes the importance of the Thames as a treasure trove of London’s past, filled with stories of migration, community, and love.
This engaging exhibition is expected to attract both casual visitors and historians eager to delve into London’s dynamic history. Running for a year at the London Museum Docklands, tickets are available starting from £16. For further details, visit the museum’s website.
The exhibition “Secrets of the Thames: Mudlarking London’s Lost Treasures” highlights the rich historical significance of artefacts found along the Thames foreshore. With over 350 displayed items, it underscores the importance of preserving and understanding the stories behind these relics of the past. This engaging exhibition offers a unique window into London’s historical narrative, appealing to a broad audience.
Original Source: insidecroydon.com