Here’s an update by Julia, our Fulham Foreshore Recording and Observation Group (FROG) coordinator, on a new and intriguing wooden feature which they spotted on their visits to the Thames foreshore earlier this year:

Photo by Julia Mahon

“In January 2018, four posts appeared which seem to comprise of two box-hearted posts, possibly jointed at their bases by another, and two possible quartered posts opposite, thus forming a 40cm square. Found just as the tide was coming in, we did not manage to plot their exact location, but they lie in line with the remaining timber from feature A306. This is possibly a mooring feature or revetment dating to the early Saxon Period, you can read more about it in our Great Results for Fulham post. These new timbers appeared very stable in the ground and were approximately 7cms proud, so we felt confident they would be there for some time.

Photo by Julia Mahon

“Having missed the February tide we were anxious to return and on 2nd March 2018, despite the snowy conditions, we revisited the area. Because we had not plotted the exact position of this site, we had great trouble locating it and almost gave up the search. Relying on memory is not advisable – time does distort and in this case deposition had occurred. One of the baseline posts had however disappeared! After almost dismissing a pulpy patch of wood, the incoming tide prompted me to pursue this area and ‘hey presto’ there they were. Not four but five! The fifth post was another possible quartered post.

“Lots of lessons learned here!

“When the weather improves and another base line post is reinstated plans are to get this new feature drawn and recorded.

“Hoping for some dates too, so watch this space!”