🎬 The Roadmap Report — Unit 10

🔍 An Unusual Hobby

For thousands of years people have been dumping their rubbish and losing their possessions in the waters of London's most famous waterway, the River Thames. The area has been inhabited since before the Romans came to Britain, and the banks of the river are a treasure trove of objects from the past, making the Thames one of the most interesting archaeological sites in the country. Twice a day the water moves back and leaves large, muddy areas visible on the shores. These often contain fascinating secret treasures for 'mudlarks', people whose hobby is to search the mud for objects from the past.

Some of the most interesting things discovered are everyday objects: animal bones and shells give us information about what they ate, while pieces of ceramic dishes tell us how food was cooked and served. Buttons, buckles, combs, rings and thimbles have all been found in the mud, giving historians valuable clues about fashions in centuries gone by. Perhaps the most personal objects found are leather shoes, some still with the imprint of the owner's foot in them.

Other finds tell romantic stories. In the 17th century young men often gave a silver sixpence to their love instead of a ring. These little coins, as well as silver keys and gold rings which were given as love tokens, have been preserved in the mud.