DO YOU LIKE HISTORY?

DO YOU LIKE OBJECTS?

DO YOU LIKE WINNING PRIZES?

WELL YOU’VE COME TO RIGHT PLACE! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS, BLOG READERS OF THE WORLD! IT’S TIME FOR…

OBJECT OF LAARC VIP8:

GRAND FINAL!

Once upon a time, 10 weeks ago, 25 individuals arrived at the Museum of London’s Archaeological Archive & Research Centre looking for a chance to learn new skills, handle real archaeology and help improve the museum’s archaeological collections. As each week passed, these individuals formed strong teams, learning how to handle, audit and store artefacts from all periods of London’s past. Along the way they came across some historical treasures – 16 objects that stood out amongst the rest as nuggets of history that provide a connection to those that went before us. The teams became known as those of the eighth Volunteer Inclusion Programme. The objects decided to compete against each over to see which was best. And which object is the best? Well… that’s for you to decide…

AND THE NOMINEES ARE…

Monday’s round 1 winner was this Clay Tobacco Pipe audited by volunteer Margo during Week 2 of the project but originally found in 1977 at St Thomas Street excavations. It dates from 1850-1900 and the decoration features a steam locomotive on one side with a fully rigged (three masts, all square rigged) ship on the obverse. The type of locomotive is called the Planet type after Robert Stephenson’s Planet of 1830 and the ship is likely to be a Clipper, which became prominent from the 1840s and are probably best know for use in the tea trade with China. Perhaps the pipe celebrates Britain’s Industrial Revolution and the advances of 19^th Century transportation.

Tuesday’s round 2 winner was this Roman Intaglio. Found during the excavations at Watling Court and audited by Tuesday volunteer Jim during Week 7, it’s only 6mm wide, made of carnelian and dates to the 1^st Century AD. Depicting Fortuna, the personification of luck, with pantheistic attributes of wings, helmet and shield, this intaglio would originally have been set in a ring and used as a seal, which is testament to literacy in Londinium. A number of high quality intaglios have been excavated from Roman London, suggesting a gem-cutting studio may have existed…

On Wednesday, the victor in round 3 was this Figurine Salt. dating from the 17th Century but discovered in 1979 at Hibernia Wharf. Audited in Week 8 by Friday volunteer Khushboo, this is one of three figurine salts found within a dump of kiln material. The figurine would originally have held a dish for table salt (hence the name) and although salt dishes are common (as are figurines) a figurine salt is rare and the one here has no known parallel. What is additionally unusual is the design – the figures have Afro-Caribbean features and are seated, naked. These figures are also wasters in that they have traces of unfired glaze on them, otherwise known as biscuit ware.

And finally, Thursday’s winner of round four, the Witch Bottle audited by Thursday volunteer Donna during Week 2. Originally a stoneware Bellarmine bottle, this was reused as a witch bottle to divert the evil eye and act as a protective ward against witches (hence the name). Bent and twisted pins are usually found inside, using sympathetic magic to personally harm the witch. Other common contents can include blood, urine, hair or brimstone. This example is rare as it has its contents still in situ and finds like this show how mass produced ubiquitous objects (drinking vessels) can be reused and transformed into a sacred object of unique function. It was originally excavated in 1977 at St James’s Passage Subway.

So there you have it, your final four. But which is the best and will this lead to you winning a prize? All you have to do is decide which of the four is your favourite and worthy of being “Object of LAARC VIP8“. Should your choice win, you will be entered into a draw – just remember to leave your contact details in the space provided when voting (and should you not want to be entered into the draw, you can skip that bit and just select your favourite object)

Up for grabs is not one, not two, but THREE prizes!

Third Prize is a pair of tickets for a tour of LAARC, the largest archaeological archive in Europe! (click here for more)

Second Prize is a pair of tickets for a tour of the archive PLUS two free entry tickets to the excellent new exhibition at Museum of London Docklands – PIRATES! The Captain Kid Story(click here for more)

First Prize is a pair of tickets for a tour of our archive PLUS two complementary tickets for next month’s awesome LATE event – FABULOUS FIFTIES! (click here for more)

So what are you going to go for? To cast your vote click here:

Voting has now closed

Voting will stay open all weekend and the winning object plus the winners of the prizes will be announced at noon on Monday 11th July.

Things are hotting up as we’re only one day away from the Grand Final to decide which is the best object from the eighth Volunteer Inclusion Project based at the Museum of London’s Archaeological Archive & Research Centre. Over the past 10 weeks, volunteers have transformed numerous archives improving both their storage and access. Along the way 16 artefacts have stood out amongst the thousands of objects they’ve packed and audited.

Each day this week people have been voting for their favourite daily object. Monday’s Tobacco Pipe came up trumps first, with a Roman Intaglio defeating its rivals on Tuesday. Joining these in tomorrow’s Grand Final is yesterdays winner:

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT THE WINNER OF ROUND 3

It was a tough competition, but a worthy victory. Time for…

Round 4

A magic object to start things off – this Witch Bottle audited by Thursday volunteer Donna during Week 2. Originally a stoneware Bellarmine bottle, this was reused as a witch bottle to divert the evil eye and act as a protective ward against witches (hence the name). Bent and twisted pins are usually found inside, using sympathetic magic to personally harm the witch. Other common contents can include blood, urine, hair or brimstone. This example is rare as it has its contents still in situ and finds like this show how mass produced ubiquitous objects (drinking vessels) can be reused and transformed into a sacred object of unique function. It was originally excavated in 1977 at St James’s Passage Subway.

Second today is a object which fooled us at first. This comb was excavated during 1979’s work at 170-194 Borough High Street and rediscovered by  Thursday volunteer Juliet when auditing it during Week 8.  When we first came across it we thought it was made of bone, a common material to make combs with from Roman times through to the 20^th Century. Why did bone stop being used in the 20th Century? Well, because of plastic. And, as with this example, sometimes manufacturers can make plastic look very bone like! But despite this 20^th Century plastic comb fooling us we still think it a worthy contender and an excellent example of a material that transformed modern life.

Next are a spectacular pair of buttons audited by Friday volunteer Iestyn during Week 5. These copper-alloy buttons would originally have been gilded. They bear images of a crown, a common representation for the British Monarchy and are likely to have adorned a uniform connected to “serving the crown”. On the reverse the buttons bear the legend “T. Clare. Leman St.” Thomas Clare was a tailor whose shop was situated at 124 Leman Street, London in the mid 19^th Century. They were originally discovered in 1978’s excavations at Cutler Street.

Last but certainly not least is this Roman finger ring, also audited in Week 5 by Friday volunteer Yulia. The bronze intaglio of this ring bears the inscription VTF – ut(ere) f(elix) – meaning “good luck to the user”. With a sloping trapezoid profile, this ring type is known as ‘keeled’ and is particular to the 3^rd Century AD. The ring was found during 1977’s excavations in the Crypt of Southwark Cathedral in a context associated with stonework, perhaps belonging to a mausoleum in Southwark – so maybe the luck of the owner finally ran out… but will the ring be lucky today?

So which will take the final spot in the Grand Final alongside Monday’s Tobacco Pipe, Tuesday’s Intaglio & Yesterday’s Figurine Salt.

To cast your vote, click here:

VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED!

Thank you all for playing along and don’t forget to return for the Grand Final tomorrow, where you could win a free pair of tickets for a LAARC Tour! And hang on… what’s that… free tickets for other museum events too…

Welcome back one and all for another daily competition to help decide which has been the best object of the Museum of London’s Archaeological Archive & Research Centre’s eighth Volunteer Inclusion Programme! Over the past 10 weeks lots of fabulous artefacts have been rediscovered by our volunteers as they’ve been auditing and repacking our collections. But which object joins Monday’s Winner- the tobacco pipe – in Friday’s Grand Final?

Click here to find out the Winning object of Round 2

Was that your choice? Ready to see if your favourite wins today’s contest?

Round 3

First up then a Roman object from Blomfield House excavations in 1987. Audited by Tuesday volunteer Lucy during Week 4, this hobnailed leather sole comes from a military boot known as  a caliga. The hobnails both bind the layers of leather together and also allow greater traction for marching.  The central ‘chicken foot’ design is rare for London (shapes such as circles, diamonds and triangles are far more common). This shoe may be of a burial context, excavated outside of the Roman city. Interestingly a number of associated funerary vessels were discovered with offerings of chickens…

Your next choice is a piece of pottery! This ‘encrusted’ Border ware Mug dates to the 17^th Century and the central band of decoration is made of dense flint chippings which are stuck to the pot with a clay cladding. This decoration would have made the mug difficult to hold when drinking from, because of the weight. The green glaze is very typical of Border ware pottery, so called because the industry was located on the Surrey-Hampshire county border. Originally excavated in 1964 at Hopton Street, Southwark it was repacked during Week 9 by Tuesday volunteer Michael.

The third option was audited by Wednesday volunteer Ed during Week 4. This silver denarius was excavated in Southwark in the area of Roman Watling Street, Southwark and dates to 196-211 AD. The obverse depicts the bust of Julia Domna, wife of Emperor Septimius Severus and mother of fratricidal Emperor Caracalla. The reverse depicts the personification of the Virtue Pietas (PIETAS PVBLICA). The coin’s value was equivalent to a Roman soldier’s daily pay, which was increased under Severus.

The final candidate today dates from the 17th Century but was discovered in 1979 at Hibernia Wharf. Audited in Week 8 by Friday volunteer Khushboo, this is one of three figurine salts found within a dump of kiln material. The figurine would originally have held a dish for table salt (hence the name) and although salt dishes are common (as are figurines) a figurine salt is rare and the one here has no known parallel. What is additionally unusual is the design – the figures have Afro-Caribbean features and are seated, naked. These figures are also wasters in that they have traces of unfired glaze on them, otherwise known as biscuit ware.

Well we don’t make it easy for you. Tough choices but only one will make it through to Friday’s Final. Which one will it be? That’s up to you to help decide. To vote for your favourite click here:

VOTING FOR ROUND 3 HAS NOW CLOSED

Voting closes tomorrow at noon when the winner will be revealed and join Monday’s tobacco pipe and Tuesday’s intaglio. One more round tomorrow before Friday’s Grand Final where if the object you vote for wins, you stand a chance of winning a free tour of the archive to see these objects plus many more!

Ladies & Gentlemen, welcome back to Round 2 of our Object Competition!

Each week during the London Archaeological Archive & Research Centre’s current Volunteer Inclusion Programme (LAARC VIP8), we’ve been rediscovering some awesome objects that archaeologists have dug up over the years.Yesterday’s competition was a tough one, but loads of you voted and your winner was…

CLICK HERE FOR YESTERDAY’S WINNER!

Was that the one you went for? Ready to play again?

Round 2

First up it’s this 18th Century perfume bottle excavated  at Watling Court in 1978. Audited by Tuesday volunteer Nicola during Week 6,  it’s inscribed: “Warren/Perfumer/Mary-bone/Street/London”. Richard Warren appears to have been a successful perfumer and later formed a partnership with Richard Rosser who produced ‘Milk of roses’ – an early 19^th Century skin cosmetic advertised in The Times. LAARC also holds a number of tin-glazed ointment jars with Warren & Rosser’s branding suggesting they were prominent 19^th Century retailers.

Your second option was audited by Thursday volunteer Juan during Week 3. This bone awl (c.1600-1650) is of especial interest because it is made from the antler tine of a red-deer. The awl would have been used for piercing leather and perhaps its appearance suggests leather working was undertaken. This ties in nicely with the site is was found at (Cutler Street) where evidence of other industries including horn-, ivory- and glass-working from the 16^th – 17^th Century was also evident.

The third choice was audited by Thursday volunteer Rebecca during Week 9. This decorative badge depicts a dove flying from Noah’s Ark as described in Genesis (8). Early Christians in Rome first adopted the symbol of a dove and olive branch as one of peace, for which it is still used today. Although not Roman itself, the badge was discovered in Greenwich Park, where an extensive Roman temple complex in London’s hinterland is beleived to have stood.

Today’s final candidate also comes from the excavations at Watling Court. Audited by Tuesday volunteer Jim during Week 7, this Roman intaglio made of carnelian dates to the 1^st Century AD and is only 6mm wide. It depicts Fortuna, the personification of luck, with pantheistic attributes of wings, helmet and shield. This intaglio would originally have been set in a ring and used as a seal, which is testament to literacy in Londinium. A number of high quality intaglios have been excavated from Roman London, suggesting a gem-cutting studio may have existed…

Another set of fine choices, but which shall join yesterday’s winner. Only one way to decide – get voting by clicking here:

VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED!

Voting closes tomorrow at noon when the winner will be announced and Round 3 will commence! Winning objects will compete in Friday’s Grand Final where the winning object comes attached with a prize for one lucky voter. Did someone mention free tickets…

Over the past nine weeks, volunteers at the Museum of London’s Archaeological Archive & Research Centre have been hard at work improving the storage of our collections and checking the finds to make sure they’re all in a good state. They’ve formed the eighth team in our Volunteer Inclusion Programme and along the way have rediscovered many amazing artefacts that sit amongst our shelves.

To celebrate their work, we’ve picked the cream of the crop and EVERY DAY this week, the objects will be competing against each other to win your vote to decide which object is the best out of them all! It’s easy to play along, just have a look at each day’s four candidates and click on the link at the bottom of the page to cast your vote.

Round 1

To start us off, it’s this metallic purse discovered in 1978 at Finck Street, SE1. Audited during Week 3 by Friday volunteer Natalie and dating to the turn of the 19th Century, it’s hallmarked with the letters EPNS. Electroplated nickel silver was widely used from the 1840s and it’s likely to have been produced in Birmingham where electroplating was commercially patented by George Elkington. The object’s size and partial chain suggest it may have been a chatelaine purse worn from the waist, popular in the late 19th Century.

Second up is a clay tobacco pipe audited by volunteer Margo during Week 2. Found in 1977 at St Thomas Street excavations and dating from 1850-1900, the decoration features a steam locomotive on one side with a fully rigged (three masts, all square rigged) ship on the obverse. The type of locomotive is called the Planet type after Robert Stephenson’s Planet of 1830 and the ship is likely to be a Clipper, which became prominent from the 1840s and are probably best know for use in the tea trade with China. Perhaps the pipe celebrates Britain’s Industrial Revolution and the advances of 19^th Century transportation.

Your third choice was audited by Friday volunteer Wendy during Week 6. This rare find is a leather book cover, used to decorate manuscripts. It’s hard to make out the central stamped decoration, but fleurs-de-lis are visible at the corners. Other decoration could include metal ornamentation and this cover still has its functional copper clasps in situ. The leather would be applied to a wooden front and back cover (some of which survives under the clasps) which bound the manuscript together. It was originally discovered during excavations at Morgan’s Lane, Tooley Street

The final object today was rediscovered during Week 7 by Friday volunteer Tina. Excavated at Watling Court in 1978, this exceptionally well preserved mount is in the form of a dolphin and would have served as a footing perhaps for a small casket. Dolphins were sacred to the Roman god Neptune (also the god of horses) and appear in the design of many small finds such as furniture handles, buckles and glassware. The ‘gilt’ effect is actually an adverse reaction due to burial conditions.

All mighty fine contenders but which one do you think has the edge of the others? To vote for your favourite, click here: VOTE!

VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED!

Voting closes tomorrow at noon when the winning object will be announced  and will go into Friday’s Grand Final where it will fight it out with the rest of this week’s daily winners! There will also be a PRIZE that you could win for voting! Make sure you return for tomorrow’s competition when more will be revealed!

Thanks for voting!

Thanks to everyone who has visited these pages over the last fortnight and voted for their favourite object from our 6th Volunteer Inclusion Programme.

16 objects rediscovered during the 5th LAARC Volunteer Inclusion Project were narrowed down to 4 during the first rounds of voting and we can now reveal he winner is…

The Roman Finger Ring Key!

This key was rediscovered by volunteer Nuri and would have probably opened a casket or small box. Originally it was found by archaeologists in 1975 during excavations at St Magnus, New Fresh Wharf, (SM75)

And that’s that for VIP6. We started VIP 2 years ago and have seen over 150 volunteers participate in the programme. During September we shall be revealing details about our 7th VIP project (Oct-Dec) and how YOU can get involved.

But for now, we’re taking a little break. Toodle Pip

Ladies & Gentlemen. You’ve been voting all week for your favourite objects to determine which is the best artefact from VIP6. Well, the winners are in and are ready to do battle. It’s time for…

OBJECT OF VIP6! THE GRAND FINAL!

Monday’s winner was this super Saxon “Bird” Pin. Audited by Friday volunteer Claire during Week 8’s session, this is a rare example of a late Saxon (C11^th – C12^th) ivory ‘hipped’ pin’. It was found during excavations at Merton Priory. (MPY88) The pin could be interpreted as representing a bird with feathered wings, eye and the shaft as an elongated beak. The presence of this late pin (as well as waste from antler and ivory working) on the site indicates affluence and perhaps a settlement nearby, maybe of a monastic nature.

The second winner was repacked during week 5 and was a joint effort by Monday’s volunteers Emma & Lucy. Found in 1974 at “The Triangle” (TR74), this is a very rare example of a woven Roman basket. A leather thong would have connected with the leather tag at the top to close the basket. Preserved by the waterlogged conditions of the waterfront, the site was originally a Roman quay. The material deposited in the quay may have come from a warehouse clearance and perhaps the basket was used by a Roman constructing the quay in the first half of the 2^nd Century AD and then lost or disposed of.

Wednesday’s winner was repacked by Monday volunteer Deborah during Week 3. This  fine medieval sheath from Billingsgate excavations (BWB83) dates to around the mid 14th Century. The engraved/embossed decoration features a number of anonymous animals. Due to the zoomorphic decoration the blades are usually interpreted as ‘hunting’ knives, although knives were commonplace and multipurpose tools in the medieval period.

The final winner of the week was audited by Friday volunteer Nuri during Week 4. This metallic object comes from another large excavation near the archaeological waterfront of the Thames – St Magnus, New Fresh Wharf (SM75). This very well preserved Roman finger ring had a very practical purpose for the security minded Roman. It would probably have opened a small box or casket containing valuables such as jewellery. To date we still haven’t discovered a matching key and lock…

Tough choices but there can only be one winner. And it’s up to you to decide. This time however, you’ve got plenty of time to make a decision as the competition is open for a over a week and voting closes on Wed 25th August at noon.

To cast your vote and have your say click here:

VOTE

Thanks to everyone who has voted over the past week and has supported our VIP6 project. We hope you’ve enjoyed it.

If you have any thoughts you’d like to share about the competition or our project please leave a comment below.

Welcome back blog readers for the fourth & final round of the competition before tomorrow’s Grand Final.

Yesterday’s winner was…

THE LEATHER SHEATH!

Congratulations to Deborah whose object joins Monday’s winner Claire’s Saxon Bird Pin and Tuesday’s winners Emma & Lucy’s Roman Basket

Your final four await:

Candidate #1 is a handsome little vessel all the way from Cologne (though excavated in 1975 at Newgate Street (GPO75)). Dating from the mid 16th Century, it bears a bearded face which is commonly interpreted  as mocking Cardinal Bellarmine, an unpopular figure of the time. The jug is decorated with an inscription, which loosely translates as: ‘What God wants, he gets’, as well as six portrait heads. It was packed during Week 2 by Monday volunteer Michael

Your second choice was packed by Friday volunteer Miriam during Week 6. Originally found at the site of the former City of London Boys School (BOY86), this is part of a far larger medieval, woven textile (probably wool). The preservation of this rare find is once again due to the archaeological conditions of the Thames waterfront – specifically a reclamation dump supporting the riverside wall. The weave type is described as ‘tabby’ and the original colour of the wool was probably much different, maybe even coloured!

Third up is one for the leather enthusiasts out there. Another from Week 6, Friday volunteer James audited this fragile find which is a fine example of a post-medieval (1485-1714) shoe heel. The layers of leather are fixed together by metal pins from the base. On top can be seen holes for the heel’s attachment to the shoe’s sole, providing detailed evidence of how these shoes were constructed. It was excavated in 1986 at Carter Lane (CAT86)

Your final choice is a spectacular Roman artefact. Audited by Friday volunteer Nuri during Week 4, this metallic object comes from another large excavation near the archaeological waterfront of the Thames – St Magnus, New Fresh Wharf (SM75). This very well preserved Roman finger ring had a very practical purpose for the security minded Roman. It would probably have opened a small box or casket containing valuables such as jewellery. To date we still haven’t discovered a matching key and lock…

Which one do you want to see join the others in tomorrow’s Grand Final?

To vote click here: VOTE

Thanks to everyone who has voted over the past four days. We’ve hoped you’ve enjoyed playing and viewing just a selection of the fine artefacts within LAARC’s walls.

For more info about excavations the objects come from or what went on during the VIP week’s that they were rediscovered click on any of the highlighted text above.

See you for the Grand Final

Day 3 in the Big Battle between our best objects rediscovered during the VIP6 project. But what was the winner from yesterday?

The second object going into Friday’s Grand Final is…

THE ROMAN BASKET!

Well done to Lucy & Emma who join Monday’s winner Claire’s object, the Saxon Bird Pin

Ready for Round 3…

The first contestant today was repacked by Monday volunteer Deborah during Week 3. This  fine medieval sheath from Billingsgate excavations (BWB83) dates to around the mid 14th Century. The engraved/embossed decoration features a number of anonymous animals. Due to the zoomorphic decoration the blades are usually interpreted as ‘hunting’ knives, although knives were commonplace and multipurpose tools in the medieval period.

Second up was only repacked by Monday volunteer Maria last week during Session 8. Originally excavated at Sir John Cass School (CASS72), this is a somewhat deceptive 19th Century bottle. Its ‘marbled’ colouration is actually a result of the glass degrading and would originally have been coloured brown. It reads: ‘By The Kings Patent True Cephalick Snuff’ and as such would have been used to treat aliments of the head. The snuff may not have been tobacco based, but rather a reference to how the medicine was administered.

Your third choice was excavated at Newgate Street in 1975 (GPO75) but rediscovered during VIP6 by Monday volunteer Miranda during Week 4. This Roman copper lamp would have been more costly than the more common ceramic lamps (which are sometimes dusted with mica in an effort to imitate their metallic counterparts). The lamp has lost part of its crescent shaped handle but has survived fairly well considering! It would originally have been suspended by a chain from the wall or ceiling, attached to the side and back ringlets, but would emit very little light.

Today’s final candidate was audited during week 7 by Friday volunteer Simona. Excavated in 1976 at Milk Street (MLK76), this oyster shell of the late 12th Century has been reused as a paint palette. Oysters were a popular delicacy in the medieval period, and there is a long tradition of them being reused as palettes. The traces of red are probably vermillion – an expensive product for its time which could have been used in wall paintings of churches or for the illumination of manuscripts.

Four great objects but which is your favourite? To vote click here: VOTE (voting has now closed but you can still vote in round 4)

Voting closes at noon tomorrow (Thurs 12th Aug).

Join us then to find out the result of today’s competition and choose your final winner before Friday’s Grand Final.

For more info about excavations, what we did each week or for larger photos, click on any highlighted word in the text or image.

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s competition. The winning object was…

THE SAXON BONE BIRD PIN!

Today’s competition then:

First up, an object from Week 7. Audited by Monday volunteer Laura, this cool 10^th Century comb used to be on display in the Museum of London’s old Saxon gallery! Combs are one of the most common artefacts from early medieval London and obviously an important accessory. The comb’s teeth are made from a sheet of horn and the ‘side-plates’ from cattle ribs which are riveted together. In the later medieval period horn is replaced by wood as a more common material for combs, although ivory is also popular throughout. This one came from excavations at Milk Street during 1976 (MLK76)

The second object trying to win your support comes from New Fresh Wharf excavations (SM75) but was rediscovered during week 5 by Wednesday volunteer Gillian. This amphora neck bears painted graffiti which translates as ‘the best fish sauce’. This storage vessel would have therefore contained the commodity garum (which we could call ‘Roman ketchup’!). The form of the amphora may be a Dressel 28, produced in the Guadalquivir valley of Baetica (Roman Spain) and imported to London.

The third candidate was also repacked during week 5 and this time it’s a joint effort by Monday’s volunteer’s Emma & Lucy. Found in 1974 at “The Triangle” (TR74), this is a very rare example of a woven Roman basket. A leather thong would have connected with the leather tag at the top to close the basket. Preserved by the waterlogged conditions of the waterfront, the site was originally a Roman quay. The material deposited in the quay may have come from a warehouse clearance and perhaps the basket was used by a Roman constructing the quay in the first half of the 2^nd CenturyAD and then lost or disposed of.

The final object today was the very first object to be packed during this project. Saturday volunteer Paul packed this aftefact from the General Post Office at Newgate Street (GPO75) during week1. This piece of human skull exhibits sharp force trauma to the right frontal side, above the eye socket. The polished edge and style of wound suggest this could have been inflicted by a sword. Although this may not have been the fatal blow, it would certainly have caused trauma and swelling to the brain!

To vote for your favourite object from today’s selection, click here: VOTE (Voting has now closed, but you can vote in round 4)

Voting closes tomorrow afternoon (Wed 11th Aug) at 13.00.

Thanks for playing and don’t forget there’ll be another competition tomorrow with four more objects to choose from. Click on the “RSS” icon towards the top right of the page to keep updated with all the competitions this week.