Unearthing Luxury in London’s East End
Excavations in London’s East End have brought to light some fascinating finds that suggest a more affluent past in an area typically regarded as impoverished. Among the discoveries were seals from French wine bottles, including one from the renowned Château Margaux, a vineyard once favored by notable figures like Thomas Jefferson and Sir Robert Walpole. The Museum of London Archeology (MOLA) shared details about this surprising find in a recent announcement.
MOLA described the discovery of the wine seal as “astonishing,” noting that it was uncovered during excavations for an industrial development project in Wapping, within Tower Hamlets.
The excavations unveiled seals from French wine bottles on various sites: the chapel floor, the foundations of a terraced house, and even in gardens filled with “wells, hideouts, and bins overflowing with pottery and clay pipes.” Some artifacts date back to the Victorian era, including a stone school tablet adorned with children’s doodles and handwriting. There was also a ceramic marble, dubbed an “alley,” thought to have been used in games played by kids.
These items were reportedly found in a brick-lined drainage ditch, perhaps lost during an intense game. MOLA indicated that the area previously housed a school dating back to the 1530s and an almshouse from the mid-1500s to the late 19th century. This almshouse provided housing and a monthly stipend to local seniors, exhibiting a community spirit of care.
According to MOLA archaeologist Alex Banks, the team is currently working to determine the age of these artifacts. There’s an ongoing investigation into the inscriptions and graffiti found on children’s items. It’s also worth noting that references to artifacts linked to children are relatively rare compared to those associated with adults.
Interestingly, the presence of the wine seal and other luxury items challenges the long-standing assumption that Wapping has always been uniformly poor. Banks remarked that the findings reveal a more complicated social history for this area than modern narratives suggest, making it seem much like the diverse East End we know today.
