Mud river jutsu3/30/2023 ![]() ![]() Classified as an “extratropical cyclone,” Storm Ciara brought torrential rain and high winds from the west, which blew the tide out much further than predicted. On February 9th, 2020, a freak storm coincided with an extremely low Spring tide. Remarkably, this complete bottle is still corked, and the original contents still remain inside.ġ8th-century apothecary bottle, Jason Sandy. As I was night-larking with two friends in October 2018, I discovered an incredible 18th century apothecary bottle (top right). At night, the empty foreshore is a magical place surrounded by wonderfully illuminated bridges and buildings whose reflections shimmer on the calm surface of the river. Hoping to find older artifacts on stretches of the riverbed which are only accessible a few times a year, I strap on my high-powered headlamp and go mudlarking in the dark. In London, some of the lowest tides of the year occur late at night from July until October. Right: Corked apothecary bottle containing its original contents, Jason Sandy. Center: Jason Sandy nightlarking with London Bridge and Tower Bridge in the background, Neil Hall. Left: Central London illuminated at night, Jason Sandy. During very low tides, I have fortunately found and rescued several complete bottles before the strong river currents swept them away or smashed them on the rocks. As the foreshore is slowly being eroded away by the waves of passing boats, historic glass bottles are revealed as the tide recedes. The dense, soft mud of the Thames encapsulates the bottles and protects many of them from breakage. Jason’s collection of apothecary bottles, Jason Sandy.Ĭollecting the city’s rubbish for nearly 2,000 years, the River Thames is a great repository of discarded objects, especially glass. ![]()
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