Current Exhibitions
19 May - 14 July
The Hogsmill - A Journey Through Time
One of the key aims of the project was to provide training for local youngsters in archaeological techniques, and allow them to explore their local heritage in a fun and safe environment. Scouts and local youths from the Kingston, Surbiton and Tolworth areas undertook most of the fieldwork, supported by an enthusiastic team of adult volunteers, who worked incredibly hard to ensure the fieldwork was a success.
Activities the youngsters took part in included digging test pits, metal detecting, surveying, and completing a borehole survey of geological deposits below the site. The digging and metal detecting revealed a range of finds including a lead token, a musket ball, a wedding ring, and two military pendants.
Geology A-Level student Alex said:
“I had a great time excavating the test trenches and helping out with the bore holes, taking samples from deep below the surface. I particularly enjoyed this; I found it fascinating to see the geological history of the field we were working in emerge out of the ground. There was a great collection of finds from across the site, my brother and his friend were particularly proud to have found a lead medallion with a medieval map of France imprinted on one side while using the metal detectors – one of the major finds of the day”.
The borehole survey revealed that the geological deposits went down to a depth of 5 metres, with the earliest layers of peat subsequently radiocarbon dated to the Early Mesolithic period. This is c10,000 years ago, before settled farming began, when people were mobile hunter gatherers.
Project Manager Rebecca Lambert said:
“We are delighted with the results. Evidence for people and the landscape at this time is rare in south east England, so further research is being undertaken on the borehole samples by students at Reading University”.
The results of the fieldwork have now been turned into an exhibition ‘The Hogsmill: A journey through time’ which will run at Kingston Museum between the 19th May and 14th July. The exhibition will be an opportunity to learn more about the fieldwork project, the Hogsmill River, and its fascinating history and archaeology.
The exhibition aims to present the techniques and results of the fieldwork, as well as putting it into a wider context, as the Hogsmill has a rich historical past. Today it is a meandering stream, but research shows it has changed course, and in the past was much wider and faster flowing. In the post medieval period there were rumoured to be 13 Mills along its banks, producing gunpowder for the Royal Navy, peaking in the Napoleonic War. Also, two of the most famous impressionist paintings; Ophelia by Millais, and The Light of the World by Holman Hunt, were painted on the Hogsmill.
Also see:
Kingston Museum
Wheatfield Way
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 2PS
Phone: 020 8547 5006
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