Latest finds from the foreshore

It’s been a while since we featured some of mudlarker John Higginbotham’s Thames finds but here’s a 2014 update! Check out the gallery below for some of John’s 2014 finds including an incredible Roman figurine of Priapus. Priapus was originally a minor fertility god from Asia Minor, who gained popularity with the Greeks around the 4th century BC. He was later adopted by the Romans, who believed that he would ensure fruitfulness and ward off evil. Statues of Priapus were set up in Roman gardens, and his enormous phallus was regarded as a deterrent to thieves. Another phallus was found during the recent MOLA excavations at Bucklersbury.

The almost complete spur is 17th century and then to top it all off is an Our Lady of Willesden 16th century pilgrim’s badge and a medieval French jetton. Also included in this recent collection are a number of coins and token, a glass vessel and some lovely spoons.

To see more new discoveries made by the Thames and Field Metal Detecting Society, please visit their River Finds Galleries.