Thames Discovery Programme facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | TDP |
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| Formation | 2008 |
| Purpose | Promotion of the historic River Thames |
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The Thames Discovery Programme (TDP) is a cool project that helps people explore the history hidden along the River Thames. It's all about finding and studying old things found on the riverbanks, especially where the tide goes in and out (called the Tideway). This project helps everyone learn about and enjoy the amazing history of the Thames.
The TDP started in October 2008. For its first few years, it got help from the National Lottery and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project also trains and supports people to become "Foreshore Recording and Observation Group" (FROG) members. These volunteers help watch and record the old things found on the river's edge. They keep doing this work even now!
The TDP builds on earlier projects, like the Museum of London's Thames Archaeological Survey (1993-1999). It also works with groups like Museum of London Archaeology and the Thames Explorer Trust. For three years, archaeologists from the TDP looked at 20 important historical sites along the tidal Thames in London. The FROG volunteers helped by checking these sites regularly. They look for changes as the daily tides wash over the old things.
FROG volunteers learn how to record things found on the foreshore. They also learn about the history of the River Thames and how to stay safe. The TDP team teaches them how to use digital tools for their work.
Today, the TDP has a small team of archaeologists. It is based at Museum of London Archaeology. There are about 150 active FROG volunteers. Many groups support the TDP, including the Thames Explorer Trust, the Museum of London, the Port of London Authority, English Heritage, and the University College London Institute of Archaeology.
Amazing Discoveries
The Thames Discovery Programme picked 20 key sites in Greater London to study more closely. They used information from an earlier survey. The first site they chose was Custom House in London. In February 2009, FROG members recorded an old path (a causeway). They also found parts of a wall from 1819 and an old wooden frame called a gridiron. They even found parts of two old ships buried in the riverbed!
In April 2009, the team looked at the river access at Isleworth. They recorded a boat slipway from the 1900s. They also found parts of a Victorian-era ferry path.
In June and July 2009, the team worked at Charlton, London. This area used to be a ship-breaking yard. They found very large ship timbers that were once part of big warships. This site has many old boat parts. They found a slipway made from reused ship timbers. They also found parts of at least three smaller boats.
During the summer of 2009, teams worked at Alderman Stairs, Putney, and Bermondsey. In November 2009, FROG volunteers led a project at Carrara Wharf in Fulham. They recorded part of a bridge from 1729 that connected to Putney. Earlier that year, a TDP survey near Fulham Palace found old wooden posts from the Iron Age.
In January 2010, the team worked on the Isle of Dogs. They found the remains of a human skeleton from the early 1700s.
In summer 2010, work continued on the Isle of Dogs. They recorded the old slipways used to launch the famous ship, the SS Great Eastern. This was the last project of the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. In July 2010, the TDP team and FROG worked near the Tower of London. They recorded parts of the riverside wall. They also collected data to map the riverbed.
The team also worked with "mudlarks" (people who search the river for old items) and the Portable Antiquities Scheme. They recorded many old objects found on the surface. The TDP team then moved to Greenwich. There, they looked at the riverside wall again. They also found parts of a Tudor-era wooden jetty and a new medieval structure. The project was even shown on the BBC show Digging for Britain. In late August 2010, they worked at two sites in West London. In September, they did fieldwork near the Royal Arsenal and Rotherhithe.
In January 2011, the project shared exciting news about their work at Vauxhall. They found the oldest structure ever discovered in London! It dates back to the late Mesolithic period (a very old time). The Thames Discovery Programme, English Heritage, and the Museum of London recorded it.
During the summer of 2011, the TDP worked at Brentford. They recorded two old boats left on the foreshore. At Wapping, they surveyed a causeway used by boatmen and other old boat remains. They also did more work at Greenwich and near the Tower of London.
Public Events and Learning
The Thames Discovery Programme holds many events. These events help people learn about the river's archaeology and history. They give public talks and set up small exhibitions. They also have information stands and lead guided walks on the foreshore. You can even watch FROG members working on site!
The TDP also hosts events for families and school groups. They hold seminars, workshops, and conferences too.
In 2009, the TDP worked with many groups. These included Fulham Palace, Historic Royal Palaces, and the Museum of London. In 2010 and 2011, they worked with groups like the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds at Rainham Marshes and Southwark Cathedral.
The project was also featured in the Archaeology in Action gallery at the Museum of London. Thousands of people have visited the foreshore and attended events. Many came during the two-week Festival of British Archaeology in July each year. In July 2009, the TDP celebrated the Festival at Fulham Palace. In 2010, the team was at the Tower of London, Hall Place, and the Museum of London.
You can find a detailed report about the TDP's events and fieldwork on their website. This report covers the time when the Heritage Lottery Fund supported the project (October 2008-September 2011).
In 2017, a book called The river’s tale: archaeology on the Thames foreshore in Greater London was published. It was written by Nathalie Cohen and Eliott Wragg.
Awards and Recognition
The TDP website won an award in 2010 for "Best Representation of Archaeology in the Media." In February 2011, the project was nominated as "Best Research Project of 2011" by Current Archaeology magazine. In July 2012, the project won the "Best Community Archaeology Project" award.
In 2013, the TDP's director, Gustav Milne, was nominated as one of Current Archaeology's "Archaeologists of the Year." The Thames Discovery Programme also won the Archaeology Training Forum's Training Award that year.
