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The History of the Mudlark

by Jessica Kosinski

lark is a type of bird, so when you hear the term “Mudlark” The Thames was and continues to be one of the biggest sources for
you might think it also refers to a bird. However, a Mudlark mudlarking finds in London due to its size (215 miles long) and its
Ais actually a person wich a particular type of interesting hobby. history – the role the river played as civilization came about.
That hobby is scavenging for valuables in mud or the shallows of
certain bodies of water, especially rivers. Mudlarking can be quite an Mudlarking by Tim Southall
interesting hobby since one never knows what might be lurking below
the surface.

When Mudlarking Became Popular

Mudlarking, as both a term and a practice, was nor popularized back
when boars first sailed the seas.
The popularity of mudlarking began in the 18th century. It was
London, England where it was first popularized, but not as a hobby.
Instead, it was a vital part of daily life for many London residents due
to the economic circumstances at the time.
London was known for its
large population of people
living in poverty. It was also
known for having workhouses,
a total institution providing
housing for chose living How Did All That Stuff Get There?
in complete poverty. Because According to brewminate.com, “There are many reasons why
those workhouses did not meet objects were deposited or accidentally lost in the river. For instance, the
many basic human needs, earliest settlers deposited votive offerings into the Thames as they
London residents would do considered the waters to be sacred. Celtic tribes also deposited valuable,
anything possible to avoid highly-decorated military items in the Thames. In the Medieval period,
them. Mudlarking became a pilgrims returning from their long journeys abroad or pilgrimages in
way for the poor to make some Britain would cast their pewter souvenir badges into the river to express
money by salvaging goods from their gratitude for safe passage on their journey.”
around the Thames River to As the city and the country grew, London became known as the
use or to sell for a few farthings. world’s busiest port city. The river was the country’s center for
Early on, these Mudlarks industry, trade, and international travel. According to the Thames
were mostly children with a Festival Trust, “For eleven continuous miles in London, both sides of
smattering of hardy women all gathering to make ends meet. the river were packed with docks, wharves, warehouses, shipbuilding
yards, ship-breaking yards, fish markets, factories, breweries, slaughter -
The Thames River: houses, municipal buildings, offices, pubs, and houses.”
The vibrant riverfront was home to thriving communities of water -
A Perfect Mudlarking Environment men, lightermen, stevedores,
The unique natural environment of the Thames—with its currents dockworkers, sailors, mer -
and contents—makes it the perfect spot for the Mudlark. The dense chants, fishermen, fishmon -
“anaerobic” mud (there is no oxygen in the mud) means everything gers, oyster wives, ship -
from pottery to metal to glass and even wood and some soft goods is builders, shopbreakers, and
well preserved. local Mudlarks.”
Items that land in the silty mud are quickly covered and then moved The biggest problem
about with the current, creating a great mix of pieces to be pulled from created by the port’s popu -
the river at any one spot. Recovered items are called “released” when larity was the length of rime
they are back in the hands of people. it cook ships to unload

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