London Finds Factsheets

Urban Archaeology is planning a new series of illustrated factsheets on common London artefacts and has submitted an application for a grant to cover the cost of research, writing and production. 

The factsheets will be illustrated ‘spotter’s guides’ to each class of find, with a brief text on the artefact class, illustrated examples, common identification features, date ranges, and further reading. The information will be pitched at a level suitable for both professional Diggers and the interested amateur archaeologist or student. The factsheets will be published online as free pdf downloads and will be available as A2 posters  and as A4 factsheets. Work on the initial series of factsheets will be completed next year, with planned factsheets including London clay tobacco pipes, medieval and post-medieval pottery, and ceramic building material.

Urban Archaeology believes that these factsheets will help archaeologists in the basic identification of artefacts, will expand their knowledge of those finds, and will hopefully encourage further interest in finds and their study. The factsheets will hopefully prove invaluable to a wide range of archaeologists, from Diggers wanting to know more about the artefacts they are digging up, to members of the public eager to identify finds seen on the Thames Foreshore. The publication of the factsheets on the web will mean that they can be accessed at the point of need, via a smartphone or computer, as well as printed out for display in site huts, processing areas, for use as training and educational material, and for individual use. Urban Archaeology plans to expand the series over the coming years and hopes to develop factsheets on a broad range of archaeological subjects.

Urban Archaeology has a proven track record in producing illustrated factsheets, producing a varied range covering formation processes, finds, and excavation and post-excavation methods. These original Urban Archaeology factsheets will be updated and republished as part of the new series. Urban Archaeology also created a series of similar illustrated factsheets on common foreshore monuments for the Thames Discovery Programme. The TDP factsheets have been downloaded over 3,800 times so far, demonstrating both the appetite and need for training resources, and the suitability of web publication for their dissemination. 

Urban Archaeology would welcome contact from any finds specialists (or other archaeologists!) who would be interested in contributing to, or commenting on the series, please contact Chiz Harward via email at chiz@urban-archaeology.co.uk.