A pop-up exhibition from the Museum of London brings together the ancient and the contemporary as historical items are showcased at London’s newest shopping destination, St Martin’s Courtyard.
The exhibition runs from 15th April – 13th May and will feature Saxon and post-medieval objects excavated on the site of St Martin’s Courtyard. Family-friendly workshops and ‘Meet the Archaeologist’ sessions will by run by the archaeology team throughout.
The excavations at St Martin’s Courtyard are one of the most extensive to have been undertaken within the Middle Saxon trading port of Lundenwic and the artefacts on display provide a glimpse of life in Saxon London
St Martin’s Courtyard is located in the heart of Covent Garden, which lies within the old town of Lundenwic, which had its origins in the 5th century. The Saxons settled in Lundenwic until the Viking invasions of the 9th century forced them to resettle in the old Roman walled City of London.
The Martin’s Courtyard site was partially waterlogged which resulted in the preservation of fragile organic remains such as leather, wood and seeds which are rare from this period and provided new information about the local environment, diet and crafts. It was previously believed that the earliest Saxon dwellings were close to the banks of the River Thames, but the discovery of Early Saxon remains in the area around St Martin’s Courtyard suggest that the first Saxon settlers set up home close by.
After the Saxons had abandoned Lundenwic, the site was not inhabited again until the 17th century, when it began to be developed. Remains dating from the 17th to 19th centuries were recovered from the site, including a small nursery mug depicting a giraffe and the word ‘Cameleopard’ which was an alternative name for a giraffe that survived into the 1900s.
Museum of London Archaeology Senior Archaeologist Ruth Taylor said: “Pop-up archaeology at St Martin’s Courtyard is a unique opportunity to discover the past that lay, literally, beneath our feet, and to peer into the working life of specialist archaeologists. For those who have ever wondered what it’s like to be an archaeologist, or what happens once the trowels and shovels have been packed away, this is an excellent chance to find out!”
Weights from a Saxon loom
stmartinscourtyard.co.uk
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT SISTER ON +44 (0)20 7 287-9601 or email nicole@sister-pr.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
Museum of London archaeologists will be on-hand during the exhibition to talk about archaeology in London, what life as an archaeologist is like and how people can get involved.
Experts will be running workshops, for people of all ages, looking at life in Saxon London from the objects left behind, from pottery and bones to jewellery and combs. The sessions are:
• Saxon Life on Sunday, 17th April 12.00 - 16.00
• A mid-week school holiday special! Saxon Life and Meet the Archaeologists on Thursday, 21st April 13.00 - 17.00
• Saxon Life on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th April 12.00 - 16.00
• Saxon Life on Saturday, 30th April 13.00 - 17.00
• Meet the Archaeologists on Thursday, 5th May 14.00 – 21.00, part of a special evening of late-night shopping.
For more press information or images for Museum of London Archaeology, please contact Nicola Kalimeris nkalimeris@museumoflondon.org.uk 020 7814 5511.
Museum of London Archaeology has been providing professional archaeological services to the property industry and academic community for the past 30 years. It is an independent division of the Museum of London, one of world’s largest museums of urban history. Meeting the requirements of the planning process efficiently and cost-effectively, Museum of London Archaeology designs innovative projects that lead to a greater understanding of our past. At any one time Museum of London may have around a dozen excavations going on across London.
Museum of London, Museum of London Docklands and Museum of London Archaeology seek to inspire a passion for London. The Museums are open daily 10am – 6pm and are FREE to all.
St Martin’s Courtyard is London’s newest shopping and dining destination housing over twenty international flagships and coveted boutiques including Banana Republic, Cos, Pretty Ballerinas, Twenty8Twelve, Jaeger London and Joules.
All day dining is on offer at the four restaurants in St Martin’s Courtyard; Bill’s, Jamie’s Italian, Cantina Laredo and Dishoom.
