As part of national archaeology week, the Museum of London recently held a themed weekend for visitors. The theme was games and sports. Visitors were able to watch medieval ice skates being made, make their own Roman oil lamps, have a tour of the Guildhall amphitheatre and study possible sports injuries found on skeletons from the Museum’s collections. Twenty six further skeletons have been selected for an exhibition at the Wellcome Trust on Euston Road which is open until September and is definitely worth a visit.

For many, the highlight was watching a demonstration of archery using longbows and crossbows, firing at life-size foam soldiers as targets, to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the weapons.
 
Archery demonstration:

Objects selected from the London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre (LAARC) were on display and visitors were able to handle a selection of medieval and Roman artefacts including lead minatures, bone dice and gaming counters excavated at sites throughout the city.

Myself and George from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) External Relations team could be found in the foyer surrounded by a table of artefacts from the most recent phase of excavations at the Olympic Park. They were found at Eton Manor close to the VeloPark on the northern perimeter of the site.

George and I at the Museum of London:


The VeloPark will contain the permanent 6,000-seat Velodrome, which will host the indoor Olympic and Paralympic Cycling events, and a BMX Circuit with 6,000 temporary seats.

A medieval waterway called Hennikers Ditch running along the route of the ancient River Leyton passes through the site of the VeloPark. It is being moved underground, so that the VeloPark can be built on top. A concrete channel is being put into the ground for the water to flow through. A large rubbish pit dating back over 100 years was discovered close by and most of the objects on display came from that pit.

The archaeology event gave people the opportunity to see examples of 18th and 19th century domestic and industrial ceramics and pottery, objects produced in the Victorian factories, stoneware jars, inkwells, perfume bottles, clay pipes, horse bones and cow’s teeth. All the objects dated from roughly 1850 to 1940. The day was a fantastic chance for Londoners to have a direct connection to the London 2012 Games by handling the objects and for international visitors to learn about the ongoing programme of excavation and the latest building work.

We interacted with hundreds of children and adults, from parents with toddlers through to professional archaeologists.

‘Mystery objects from the excavations:



Everybody had a different suggestion for what our 'mystery objects' were - from unglazed snooker balls, to a part of a Governor valve from a steam engine, to a stirring shaft used as part of the glass blowing process. One family were convinced their sense of smell could determine what the objects were and spent a good few minutes smelling each of the objects as a means of identification.

Listening to some visitors recollections of growing up in the Olympic Park area and how much it has changed in the last few years was fascinating. Overall the day was very successful and enjoyable to be a part of. Every visitor was keen to share their opinions on the dramatic changes the area is undergoing and a general excitement about London 2012 was evident throughout the day.