Crossrail dig unearths forgotten London
As a team of archaeologists digs through layers of history beneath London, the thought of the next find is never far away.
“Just about any new discovery is thoroughly exciting,” says Jay Carver, the lead on what is currently the UK’s largest archaeology project.
His team has been working alongside engineers building stations and digging two giant tunnels under central London as part of Crossrail since 2009.
On the journey so far, finds include rare amber, hundreds of skeletons and a Bronze Age track.
But for Mr Carver, among the most exciting discoveries was the Thames ironworks and ship building company which occupied the entire Limmo Peninsula. Read more.
Crossrail archaeology dig gives us a glimpse into old London
A skeleton, ancient jewellery, medieval ice-skates and other artifacts unearthed during excavations for Crossrail are to go on show to the public.
Archaeologists say the finds — about 100 of which will go on display — offer a glimpse into ancient London and the capital’s industrial history.
The skeleton is one of up to 4,000 found in a site underneath Liverpool Street that was used for about 200 years from 1569 as the burial ground for local residents and patients from St Bethlehem Hospital — known as Bedlam.
Archaeologists have already unveiled 300 burials, many only five feet below street level. The bodies will be moved to a City of London cemetery prior to the completion of the £14.8 billion train line. Read more.
