Unearthing History: How Mudlarks Search London’s Shores for Hidden Archaeological Treasures

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A new exhibition at the London Museum Docklands spotlights hundreds of mudlarking finds, from Bronze Age tools to Viking daggers to medieval spectacles

Sean Kingsley – History Correspondent

April 7, 2025 12:37 p.m.

During low tide in London, individuals from diverse backgrounds, including architects, teachers, and dog walkers, don rubber boots and venture onto the foreshore of the River Thames. These “mudlarks” engage in a hands-on treasure hunt, scouring the riverbed for remnants of the city’s rich history.

For over 4,000 years, human activity has resulted in countless discarded items finding their way into the Thames. Artifacts from various eras, from ancient tools to modern debris, narrate the ongoing story of London through their discovery.

Since the Victorian era, Londoners have scavenged the Thames, initially in search of items to sell for food and later as a means of connecting with history and finding respite from contemporary life.

In a groundbreaking initiative, the London Museum Docklands is presenting the UK’s first substantial exhibition dedicated to mudlarking. Titled “Secrets of the Thames: Mudlarking London’s Lost Treasures,” the exhibition displays over 350 artifacts recovered by around 50 mudlarks, alongside narratives and photographs that celebrate this unique form of exploration.

Exhibition curator Kate Sumnall remarks on the dynamic archaeological environment the river represents. “The engagement of mudlarks in consistently documenting and reporting their discoveries plays a vital role in preserving this underwater archaeology,” she states.

London’s rich “liquid history”

The Thames has been a central element of London’s identity for millennia. Following the Roman conquest and the establishment of Londinium in 43 C.E., the river became a hub of commerce and cultural exchange. Its banks flourished with monumental structures, including grand bridges that connected various parts of the city.

By the eighth century, the settlement of Lundenwic emerged as a maritime trading hotspot, with wharves proliferating along the waterfront by the late 16th century. The 18th and early 19th centuries marked a bustling period of trade activity, attracting a myriad of workforces engaged in shipping, fishing, and marine transport.

However, the mid-19th century witnessed a decline as industries relocated to more economical sites outside London, leading to a period of neglect for the once-bustling river. “People turned their back on the polluted Thames,” recalls Jason Sandy, author of Mudlarks: Treasures From the Thames.

As a counterpoint, mudlarks ventured into the river’s history-rich floor. While Victorian mudlarks often searched for scraps to exchange for food, today’s enthusiasts are more inclined toward historical exploration, ignited in part by the popularity of media representations like the television series ‘The Detectorists.’

The Covid-19 pandemic also increased interest in mudlarking, with many Londoners rediscovering the Thames as an escape from lockdown boredom. “The river became a local sanctuary,” reflects Sandy, “and the foreshore turned into a new holiday destination.”

To engage in mudlarking legally, individuals are required to obtain a permit from the Port of London Authority. Following a pause in new permit issuances due to demand, more than 10,000 applicants are in line for limited available permits.

Uncovering the “Secrets of the Thames”

The treasures showcased in “Secrets of the Thames” provide insights into significant historical themes, including migration, conflict, and economic evolution. An ancient silver drachm from Iran exemplifies the extensive trade networks, while a battle ax from the ninth century illustrates the Viking-Saxon confrontations.

Unique items also tell stories of individual lives, such as an ornate sundial that was once held by a wealthy merchant and eventually discovered in pieces, as well as syringes used for futile syphilis treatments in the 17th century.

Rope made from tobacco leaves, unearthed by Monika Buttling-Smith, showcases a lesser-known facet of a commodity that played a crucial role in trade, originating from the era of Sir Walter Raleigh. “It’s possibly the only example in the world; it provides a glimpse into the illicit trading practices of its time,” she explains.

The exhibition also features artifacts that reflect social history, like gold rings, elaborate shoes, and clay wig curlers that reveal the aesthetics of past societies. Sandy and other mudlarks have even investigated the narrative behind printers’ typeface discarded by a former partner in a bitter business feud, providing depth to the understanding of local history.

In a compelling tale, T.J. Cobden-Sanderson’s desperate act to dispose of a coveted printing typeface into the Thames—believed to be lost forever—has resulted in surprising recoveries in recent years as river currents and ferry activities have stirred the sediment.

A nighttime mudlark

During a recent evening mudlarking session in Rotherhithe, Sandy expressed a personal connection to the river, noting his ancestry dates back to early British settlers in America. “Finding items from the 17th century feels surreal, as they could have belonged to my ancestors,” he shared, showcasing a deep bond with the historical landscape.

The shores were tranquil, offering a stark contrast to London’s bustling life. Sandy illuminated the area with a headlamp as they sifted through remnants of history: Victorian bricks, oyster shells, and ancient pottery fragments became the night’s discoveries.

His fondness for night excursions is rooted in the tides’ rhythm, providing fleeting opportunities for discoveries. “The changing tides present a unique glance at what the river conceals,” Sandy notes, as he meticulously plans his mudlarking adventures around tidal schedules.

While mudlarks may not seek financial gain, the importance of their findings is celebrated. Artifacts discovered from the Thames provide critical links to the past, and any items older than 300 years must be reported to the local museum. “It transcends mere treasure hunting; it’s about exploring history in its most unsung form,” Sandy adds.

What mudlarking finds reveal about London’s past

Many consider the Thames a chaotic site of historical debris, yet experts argue that the foreshore has intricate stratifications of human activity waiting to be uncovered. “Understanding the context behind the items and their locations aids in piecing together the rich tapestry of London’s past,” asserts Sumnall.

Artifacts can often be found at sites historically significant for their commercial activity, where coins, tools, and remnants of shipbuilding coalesce. “Systematic documentation of finds enhances our comprehension and reveals layers of history,” she emphasizes.

An exemplary site is the aptly named “Roman Hole,” which has unveiled numerous relics from the Roman period, including bone hairpins and mosaic fragments. “Such discoveries alter our narrative of ancient London, connecting it not just to England but also to the wider Roman Empire,” Sumnall observes.

The necessity of preserving evidence while available is highlighted by Buttling-Smith, who underscores her commitment to documenting findings before they deteriorate. “Timber structures, fish traps, and woven pathways provide vital links to our past and need immediate attention,” she asserts.

The past and future of mudlarking

“Secrets of the Thames” opens amid contemplation about the future of mudlarking. Ivor Noël Hume noted in 1956 that the post-war years presented an unprecedented opportunity for treasure seekers along the river. However, he later warned of dwindling finds as layers of concrete buried valuable historical remnants.

Yet recent years have rekindled interest in this endeavor, as modern river transportation can disturb sediment and enhance visibility of historical artifacts. Many areas once thought lost are being revealed again, stimulating excitement among mudlarks.

Current initiatives at the London Museum document a sizable number of items yearly, with the Portable Antiquities Scheme adding thousands of finds to national databases, enriching the historical narrative of the region.

The ever-accumulating layers of the Thames continue to tell stories as new finds emerge. “The river is still in the process of gathering history,” Sandy reflects, “and who knows what future discoveries await?”

“Secrets of the Thames: Mudlarking London’s Lost Treasures” is on view at the London Museum Docklands through March 1, 2026.

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