Roman iron horse shoes. Image: Crossrail/MOLA
8,000 years of London’s hidden history is set to be displayed in a new exhibition showcasing archaeological objects unearthed by the construction of Crossrail.
The Exhibition Tunnel: the Archaeology of Crossrail, is set to open in early 2017 ahead of London’s newest railway, also known as the Elizabeth line, which is due to open in 2018.
Since work started in 2009, the project has undertaken one of the most extensive archaeological programmes ever in the UK, with more than 10,000 artefacts uncovered and telling the story of the capital’s history.
Among the items found are:
- Prehistoric flints found in North Woolwich, showing evidence for Mesolithic tool making 8,000 years ago
- Tudor bowling ball found at the site of the Tudor King John’s Court manor house in Stepney Green
- Roman iron horse shoes found near Liverpool Street Station
- Medieval animal bone skates found near Liverpool Street Station
- Late 19th century ginger and jam jars from the site of the Crosse & Blackwell bottling factory near Tottenham Court Road station
- Human remains including one of the skeletons found near Liverpool Street Station from the 17th century Bedlam cemetery, which DNA has shown died from the Plague.
These finds were discovered in locations as diverse as suburban Abbey Wood in the south east, through Canary Wharf, across to Liverpool Street, Tottenham Court Road and ending in Westbourne Park and Acton.
Late 19th century ginger and jam jars from the site of the Crosse & Blackwell bottling factory. Image: Crossrail/MOLA
A tudor bowling ball (left) and Medieval animal bone skates. Image: Crossrail/MOLA
Human remains that contained DNA from the Plague. Image: Crossrail/MOLA
