A mudlark who travels around central London and North Greenwich has shared five things she has found washed up on the foreshores of the River Thames - from fossils to a Victorian pipe.
The term “mudlark” dates back to the 18th century and was used to describe a person of low income who would scavenge for things to sell along the shoreline of the river.
Now, it’s now seen as an interesting past-time for history buffs and enthusiasts with many posting their finds on social media.
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Kristina Kapciukaite started mud larking eighteen months ago after finding out about the hobby during a walk along the Thames.
The 33-year-old, from Leighton, explained: “Up until then I’d never heard of mud larking before, I remember seeing someone looking along the shoreline and I thought they’d lost something.
“I later found out about mud larking; I don’t have a background in history, but I was intrigued.
“I looked into it and found out that you have to apply for a permit to become a mudlark and it went from there.”
Kristina mud larks across the foreshores of London, mainly exploring the foreshores at North Greenwich, Westminster and Lambeth Bridge.
She has found many objects on her travels which she documents and collects, and she told News Shopper about some - the weird, the wonderful and the old.
A torpedo bottle
The most beautiful thing that Kristina has found so far is a torpedo bottle dating around the mid 1800s.
The bottle has an iridescent, rainbow-coloured finish and a unique rounded shape to keep the bottle cork from cracking.
Kristina said: “It has such a beautiful iridescent rainbow colour, it’s so rare to find a complete, unbroken bottle “These bottles were produced from the 1840s to the 1870s and were made for carbonated water.
“They were designed to keep the cork wet, so it didn’t try out and crack.”
Fossils
The oldest objects Kristina regularly uncovers on her mudlarks are fossils.
Kristina explained that these are regularly found on the foreshores as London was once underwater millions of years ago.
She said: “When you think about it London was once underwater millions of years ago and the Thames gradually received over time.
“To think London used to be a seabed is crazy, but of course fossils do wash up on the foreshore as a result.
“I’ve found sea urchin fossils regularly washed up.”
A 17th century farthing token
Kristina has come across some rare finds in the time she has been a mudlark - including a 17thcentury farthing token.
This token was used as a trading token in the 17th century and to Kristina’s knowledge is one she hasn’t come across before.
Kristina said: “There was a catalogue of tokens in the late 19th century and this token is not included so that means it’s probably rare.
“Coins are a common find, all different kinds from different time periods, but I’ve never found this one before.”
Animal skulls and remains
Although Kristina often finds many treasures on her mudlarks, she also admitted to finding things that are a little more macabre.
Walking on the shoreline, she regularly sees the remains of animals from foxes, rats, rabbits and birds.
Kristina said: “It’s sadder than anything else, but I regularly see the remains of animals when I mudlark.
“I’ve found remains of all different types of animals, skulls and animals in all stages of decomposition.”
A clay 19th century tobacco pipe
The most interesting thing Kristina has found is a 19th century tobacco pipe fashioned into the face of General George Gordon.
Kristina said: “I find it so interesting because people were putting so much effort into making these pipes that they would smoke only once.
“These beautiful pipes would have faces and other designs and I think that was a favourite find for me.
“Around the time of General Gordon’s death people were making all kinds of souvenirs to commemorate his death and this was one of them.”
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