This web site has been designed so that people from all backgrounds and levels of knowledge about archaeology can find out more about the Thames Discovery Programme and follow our progress as we investigate these fascinating sites on the Thames foreshore.

Data

The database will go live online as we survey and record sites as part of the 2008 – 2011 Thames foreshore survey. It will also contain records made by members of the Foreshore Recording & Observation groups (FROG). In the spirit of deep mapping this is an unfinished work. Observations and interpretations will be added regularly, gradually building a coherent body of data on what we have recorded. The data will be put online during the project via the adapted ARK (Archaeological Recording Kit).

The FROG Blog

The aim of the FROG Blog is to provide narrative written by the creators of the data that links directly to the records themselves. The blog forms an essential part of the creation of the collective narrative both of our survey, the ongoing public monitoring of the foreshore sites and, most importantly, of the archaeology itself. The FROG blog also provides a lively method of virtual engagement with foreshore archaeology, for those unable to get involved in person.

Visual Media

The photographs form part of our Multimedia section which allows us to pull in media from around the web, from our Flickr site for example, as well as video and eventually, podcasts. The staff and FROG members take digital pictures of the foreshore sites, of each other at work, of things they find relevant and these are all included into the overall narrative.

User-friendly

The layout of the website gives us space to provide more structured ‘jumping off’ points for users who are new to archaeology. This is particularly important to engage and inform readers although we are aware that the ‘expert voice’ may prevent people from forming their own opinions. We hope to use the Riverpedia section Thames-related to add in those elements of deep maps that never find a place in modern archaeological literature, such as folklore, antiquarian observations and oral history, as well as archaeological and historical research.

Glossary

The glossary section included in Riverpedia aims to engage the widest possible audience with the background concepts and themes of the Thames Discovery Programme. The inclusion of what will become a comprehensive glossary as part of this section is central to ensuring that all the information available on the project website is accessible and understandable. Archaeology has developed it’s own terminology and vocabulary, often using key terms that may have completely different meanings outside the subject. Through referencing these terms and concepts within the body of the texts, we hope that the mystery can be lifted – more complicated concepts are externally linked to relevant websites with more elaborate explanations.