The Secret Treasures of London Mud

Mudlarking is the art of scavenging riverbanks for lost history. Victorian children once did this to survive, but today's enthusiasts use modern tech to unearth centuries of lost coins and artifacts.

During the 18th century, poor children waded through the thick, hazardous mud of the River Thames to find scraps of coal or iron to sell. Today, the practice has transformed into a sophisticated hobby for treasure hunters. Because the river is tidal, it acts like a giant conveyor belt, constantly exposing new items from different historical eras. You might find anything from a Roman coin to a Tudor shoe just by walking along the shoreline at low tide.