| A deep dive into our River Thames archive Fun fact: the earliest known human footprints in Europe were found on the banks of the (ancient) Thames. The discovery was made in 2013 on the Norfolk coast – and before you tell us to double-check our map, know that these traces of life date back at least 800,000 years, when Britain was connected to mainland Europe and our rivers followed unfamiliar courses. Over the millennia, many other treasures have ended up in the river’s sediment. Roman statues, pilgrim badges, and a Celtic shield are among the discoveries made on the Thames foreshore. The latter is speculated to have been cast into the river as a votive offering – perhaps to appease London’s very own river god. And don’t go thinking that Thames-centric rituals are a thing of the past — mid-river church services and the quirky tradition of swan-upping still take place today. Inspired to pay more attention to London’s main artery? Why not not visit one of its beaches, find a new way to cross it, or even swim in it. Reckon you’re already well-acquainted with it? Try our fiendishly difficult Thames-themed quiz and put your knowledge to the test (pro-tip: a browse of our extensive River Thames archive might help you swot up!)
Photo: Benjamin Davies via Unsplash | 