6/14 Mudlarking Exhibit at London Museum at Docklands, London

There used to be two Museums of London, but the one in London has been shut down for a couple of years as they expand.  The other location has been in the Docklands near Canary Wharf.  The Docklands were originally known as the Port of London, and the East India Company had docks and buildings there where they received the products they imported from around the world.  

"Mudlarking" is something that has been done along the banks of the Thames River for several centuries.  Basically, people have put on boots and walked along the edges of the river in low tide to find things that have fallen into or been thrown into the river over the centuries.  In past centuries mudlarking was done to find items that could be sold to increase income of someone who was very poor.  In more recent times, mudlarkers are required to obtain a permit and to notify the government if anything that is above a certain value or antiquity is found. 

When I looked up events in the London museum while I was going to be in London, I found this exhibit, so bought tickets and took the subway to the museum today.  I had been there about 10 years ago, and was shocked to see the development that had taken place in the area!!  It has become a huge high-rise office building and shopping area!  Wow!

  

 

 

None of this was here 10 years ago, and they are still building!!! 

 

 

 

These are the original building of the West India Company.  

 

 

 

The London Museum is in the historical building and is in the center of this photo.   

 

 

And the exhibit itself.

 

 

 

 

Some gold rings of varying ages.  

 

 

 A helmet that was probably ceremonial, not worn in battle!

 

 

One of the more famous objects found: 

 

 

 

 

And last, but not least, as the saying goes, are some false teeth!! 

It was a tiring day because of all the walking required getting from and to the Tube stations.