The working life of Museum of London

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