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London Archaeologist
@londonarchaeo.bsky.social
340 followers 330 following 36 posts
London Archaeologist is published 4 times a year, for anyone interested in London's archaeology
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London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · Jan 15
Hello Bluesky! We are a quarterly magazine publishing the latest on #London’s #archaeology, history and heritage. ⚱️

You can subscribe here: www.londonarchaeologist.org.uk/subscribe.html
The front cover of the Spring 2024 edition of London Archaeologist magazine. Headlines are: Excavations at Stationers' Hall, Ave Maria Lane, EC4; The Curtain Road Gasworks at Principal Place, EC2; Monkey Skull from East Road, Hackney; Legion: New British Museum Exhibition; Roman Funerary Bed from Holborn; Remembering Brian Hobley. The cover image is of a ceramic Roman oil lamp, being cupped in a pair of hands wearing blue latex gloves. The centre of lamp depicts a Gladiator falling backwards, wearing a crested helmet with his left arm raised up to his face and brandishing a sword in his right hand. The hole for filling the lamp fits into the angle of his bent right knee and there is a small air hole in the nozzle channel along with a larger hole to take a burning wick.
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · 2d
Here's more about Dutch eel ships from @greenleejw.bsky.social

bsky.app/profile/gree...
greenleejw.bsky.social Surprised Eel Historian, PhD @greenleejw.bsky.social · Sep 26
It's Friday! Let's end the week with a map & some eels!

Here is John Speed's 1611 map, "The Kingdome of Great Britaine and Ireland." There are Dutch eel ships on this map. Can you find them? (the answer is at the end of the thread)

Wait, you ask...WTF is an eel ship? 1/5
🗃️🧪
A map of of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. It is quite busy with roads, and towns, and counties. There are monsters in the sea, and several ships. There are 2 large insets, one showing the a view of the city of London and one showing the city of Edinburgh. There is a smaller inset above the Edinburgh one showing the northern tip of Scotland and the Orkneys. Above the inset for London is the coat of arms for the Order of the Garter, with a lion and unicorn. The arms have the order's motto around them: "honi soit qui mal y pense" (shame on him that thinks ill of it), and below it the popular Puritan phrase, "Semper Idem" (always the same). It is a very detailed and pretty map. "Always the same" and "shame on him that thinks ill of it" is strident rejection of the Growth Mindset ideology, and I am here for it.
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · 2d
Not saying we chose this for @greenleejw.bsky.social, but not saying we didn't either...
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · 2d
There had been a plentiful supply of Thames eels, but numbers began to dwindle with colder weather in the 14th century. So Dutch merchants increased their eel imports, keeping them fresh in specially adapted ships. The ships' mooring spots were along the Thames at Queenhithe and Billingsgate.
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · 2d
This iron eel spear was designed for use in shallow water. It captured the eel without injuring it, by gripping it or holding it down. Eels caught this way were sent live to market.

Eels were a delicacy. In medieval times, they were trapped or caught in the Thames using just such an eel spear.
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · 2d
Lots of comments about the artefact on our front cover this issue - it's an eel spear!

The spear is currently on display in the Mudlarking exhibition at London Museum Docklands until 1 March 2026.

Photo © London Museum
Front cover of London Archaeologist magazine Autumn 2025 Volume 17 Number 10. On the cover is an iron eel spear. A large, roughly made metal object. It has a central shaft, which would have attached to a wooden handle which has been lost. Curving from the handle, like a rainbow are seven long flat tines, which end in rounded points. The tines are of different lengths and thicknesses, showing it was roughly made and is worn from use, adding to it's charm.
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · 6d
Don't miss an issue! Subscribe here: www.londonarchaeologist.org.uk/subscribe.html
Subscribe - London Archaeologist
​There’s never been a better time to subscribe to London Archaeologist. Annual Subscriptions include 4 issues of London Archaeologist (cover price £5.95)   an index for each volume of 12 issues...
www.londonarchaeologist.org.uk
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · 6d
Research

🏺 The Dead Marshes: Excavations at 1 Liverpool St - James Langthorne

🏺 Excavations at 14-19 Tottenham Mews, Camden - Kathy Davidson, with Guy Thompson, Berni Sudds & Märit Gaimster

@pcaarchaeology.bsky.social
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · 6d
🏺 Findspot: A folded pilgrim badge from the foreshore - Peter Wollweber

🏺 Access to archaeology: Whitechapel archaeology - Sarah Wolferstan @archsoutheast.bsky.social
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · 6d
Our Autumn 2025 issue is out now!

In this issue:

Features:

🏺 Archaeological overview: The Liberty site strikes again! @molarchaeology.bsky.social

🏺 Findspot: A Roman cremation from the Old Kent Road: New light on an old find - Stephen Greep

#archaeology #london
Front cover of London Archaeologist magazine Autumn 2025 Volume 17 Number 10. On the cover is an iron eel spear. A large, roughly made metal object. It has a central shaft, which would have attached to a wooden handle which has been lost. Curving from the handle, like a rainbow are seven long flat tines, which end in rounded points. The tines are of different lengths and thicknesses, showing it was roughly made and is worn from use, adding to it's charm.
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · May 21
The photo is of foreshore features at Trig Lane being recorded by the team from UCL Institute of Archaeology and CRaFT, 2024 (Photo: C Frearson @lofttroll.bsky.social)
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · May 21
They will be looking at illustrated examples of the erosion-threatened issues faced by archaeological sites on the #Thames foreshore, and responses involving co-operation between local societies and UCL.
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · May 21
Join us for our AGM and Annual Lecture on Thursday 22nd May 2025, 7:00pm
At @uclarchaeology.bsky.social or online.

This year's Annual Lecture will be: New Research on the City Foreshore with Gustav Milne and Angela Bloomfield

www.londonarchaeologist.org.uk/agm-and-annu...

#London #Archaeology 🏺
A group of people working on the Thames foreshore at low tide. They are planning a series of baseplate timbers which are situated at the base of a modern set of river stairs. The foreshore surface is gravelly, and tinged red due to the amount of brick and tile that is deposited there. There are three baseplate timbers, two running perpendicular towards the river, and the third at right angles to make a U shape. They are approximately 3 metres long, and from a dark wood, possibly oak, with some large mortice holes cut into their topside. Lower down the foreshore near the river's edge, there are further lines of timber piles, in line with the baseplates, roughly 50cm - 1 metre high. There is a long tape stretched down the length of the foreshore, and from that people are taking measurements to do planned drawings of the features. The Thames is running behind them, with Millennium Bridge spanning towards the Tate Modern. A group of people working on the Thames foreshore at low tide. They are planning a series of baseplate timbers which are situated at the base of a modern set of river stairs. The foreshore surface is gravelly, and tinged red due to the amount of brick and tile that is deposited there. There are three baseplate timbers, two running perpendicular towards the river, and the third at right angles to make a U shape. They are approximately 3 metres long, and from a dark wood, possibly oak, with some large mortice holes cut into their topside. Lower down the foreshore near the river's edge, there are further lines of timber piles, in line with the baseplates, roughly 50cm - 1 metre high. There is a long tape stretched down the length of the foreshore, and from that people are taking measurements to do planned drawings of the features. The Thames is running behind them, with Millennium Bridge spanning towards the Tate Modern.
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · May 11
We're delighted that this year's Annual Lecture will be with Gustav Milne and Angela Broomfield on New Research on the City Foreshore.

Join us on 22nd May, 7:00pm at the Institute of Archaeology, UCL or online on Zoom.

www.londonarchaeologist.org.uk/agm-and-annu...

#London #Archaeology 🏺
London Archaeologist AGM And Annual Lecture poster. Poster text: New Research on the City Foreshore. Gustav Milne and Angela Broomfield. 22nd May 2025, 7pm Institute of Archaeology Room 612, London WC1H 0PY and on Zoom Register at www.londonarchaeologist.org.uk The poster has two images, one is a sepia toned photo, taken side on from the foreshore of a set of wooden stairs leading down from the river wall to the foreshore surface. The other is a modern photo looking down onto the foreshore of a group of people recording timber baseplates at the base of a set of stairs. The river and Millennium Bridge can be seen in the background.
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Reposted by London Archaeologist
londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · May 5
Join us for our AGM and Annual Lecture on Thursday 22nd May 2025, 7:00pm
At @uclarchaeology.bsky.social or online.

This year's Annual Lecture will be: New Research on the City Foreshore with Gustav Milne and Angela Bloomfield

www.londonarchaeologist.org.uk/agm-and-annu...

#London #Archaeology 🏺
A group of people working on the Thames foreshore at low tide. They are planning a series of baseplate timbers which are situated at the base of a modern set of river stairs. The foreshore surface is gravelly, and tinged red due to the amount of brick and tile that is deposited there. There are three baseplate timbers, two running perpendicular towards the river, and the third at right angles to make a U shape. They are approximately 3 metres long, and from a dark wood, possibly oak, with some large mortice holes cut into their topside. Lower down the foreshore near the river's edge, there are further lines of timber piles, in line with the baseplates, roughly 50cm - 1 metre high. There is a long tape stretched down the length of the foreshore, and from that people are taking measurements to do planned drawings of the features. The Thames is running behind them, with Millennium Bridge spanning towards the Tate Modern.
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · May 5
The photo is of foreshore features at Trig Lane being recorded by the team from UCL Institute of Archaeology and CRaFT, 2024 (Photo: C Frearson @lofttroll.bsky.social)
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · May 5
They will be looking at illustrated examples of the erosion-threatened issues faced by archaeological sites on the #Thames foreshore, and responses involving co-operation between local societies and UCL.
1 1
londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · May 5
Join us for our AGM and Annual Lecture on Thursday 22nd May 2025, 7:00pm
At @uclarchaeology.bsky.social or online.

This year's Annual Lecture will be: New Research on the City Foreshore with Gustav Milne and Angela Bloomfield

www.londonarchaeologist.org.uk/agm-and-annu...

#London #Archaeology 🏺
A group of people working on the Thames foreshore at low tide. They are planning a series of baseplate timbers which are situated at the base of a modern set of river stairs. The foreshore surface is gravelly, and tinged red due to the amount of brick and tile that is deposited there. There are three baseplate timbers, two running perpendicular towards the river, and the third at right angles to make a U shape. They are approximately 3 metres long, and from a dark wood, possibly oak, with some large mortice holes cut into their topside. Lower down the foreshore near the river's edge, there are further lines of timber piles, in line with the baseplates, roughly 50cm - 1 metre high. There is a long tape stretched down the length of the foreshore, and from that people are taking measurements to do planned drawings of the features. The Thames is running behind them, with Millennium Bridge spanning towards the Tate Modern.
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · Apr 30
The context for the find can be found in "Bermondsey Square - Prehistoric and Roman Settlement, Medieval Abbey and Post-Medieval Mansion" by Alistair Douglas, published by PCA in 2024.

www.pre-construct.com/news/new-pub...
New Publication: Bermondsey Square – Pre Construct Archaeology
www.pre-construct.com
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · Apr 30
It was possibly made in the Fujian or Guangdong (formerly Canton) provinces of south-east China. It reflects the 18th-century British fascination with Chinese imports when such objects like this became very fashionable.
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · Apr 30
The colourful stoneware lion's design includes a spiral- patterned mane with green and honey yellow glazes. It has a hollow body and is thought to have held incense. When lit, smoke would emerge from its mouth to transform it into a fire-breathing lion.
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London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · Apr 30
On the Cover this issue!

This Chinese fire-breathing lion was found during excavations which were conducted from 1998 - 2018 at Bermondsey Square.

Photo © PCA/Strephon Duckering

#London #Archaeology 🏺
A colourful stoneware Chinese lion. It has a spiral-patterned mane running down it's back in a honey yellow glaze and a green glazed body. It is sitting, and it's mouth is wide open, showing it's hollow body. There is some damage to it's bottom jaw, and most of it is missing.
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · Apr 29
She has her ways.... 😂
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · Apr 29
Ha! It maybe!

Looking forward to seeing the article!
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · Apr 23
Research:

The Prehistory of Greenwich Wharf
Enid Allison et al

Evidence for Roman and Later Activity, St Swithin's Lane
Jessica Bryan and Sadie Watson @drsadiewatson.bsky.social

Obituary: Timothy Darvill, OBE

Plus book review, letter, commentary, news, and diary
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londonarchaeo.bsky.social
London Archaeologist @londonarchaeo.bsky.social · Apr 23
Features (cont.):

LA Publication Prize: A good read - judges' comments for the runners-up

Museums Update: London Museum update @londonmuseum.bsky.social
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