Thames Sherds

Mostly potsherds found mudlarking on the Thames foreshore (with a Port of London Authority permit – required for all mudlarking)

[Thames Sherds @thamessherds]

Sixteenth-century head/bust from a figurine or doll, made in Germany (perhaps Aachen or Cologne). My favourite mudlarking find to date #archaeology #mudlarking

[Thames Sherds @thamessherds]

Partial fingerprint of a #Roman-period potter just visible near the centre of a sherd I found #mudlarking on the Thames foreshore

[Thames Sherds @thamessherds]

Dog’s paw print on a #Roman tile fragment #archaeology

[Thames Sherds @thamessherds]

Sherd from a 17thC marbled slipware vessel from northern Italy. I think the whiteish area visible in the right-hand photo is an impression of part of the potter’s finger #ceramics #archaeology

[Thames Sherds @thamessherds]

Fingerprints of a Roman potter clearly visible in the clay along the side of a tegula (roof tile) – made when the tile was handled before firing. A remarkable connection to someone who lived 1,600-2,000 years ago #roman #archaeology

[Thames Sherds @thamessherds]

Two large sherds of hand-painted export porcelain – I think they are Chinese Imari ware and c. 18thC #porcelain #mudlarking

[Thames Sherds @thamessherds]

Fragment of a c. late 16thC stoneware jug made at Raeren (today in Belgium), depicting peasants dancing. The full inscription read: “GERET DU MUS DAPER BLASEN SO DANSSEN DIE BUREN ALS WEREN SI RASEN FRI UF SPRICHT BASTOR ICH VERDANS DI KAP MIT EN KOR” #mudlarking #pottery