Trifter

Have you ever given thought as to what London was like prior to the formalized version that we know today?

The Museum of London’s Pre-historic wing tells the story of pre-historic London in its permanent gallery (newly created around 2002.)

The gallery’s objective is to take its visitors back to a time wherein enormous pre-historic animals like the mammoth were found in locations now belonging to recognizable London landmarks like Trafalgar Square.

Men of the time period, respectively, travelled along the river (as opposed to the inter-belt) seeking out fish as a form of food supply along the many waterways.

It is hoped that the gallery will leave the patron enlightened to the fact that the city’s true beginnings did not come into focus with construction of Roman style architecture, but rather was pre-dated, in such manner, as to suggest there was life in London before London was truly London (as we know it.) One significant example exists with the finding of a pre-Neanderthal skull within London’s perimeter, historically noted as the “Swanscombe Lady” or the city’s, of record, oldest lady.

In theory, “Swanscombe Lady” is part of a group that found their way to Dover nearly 400,000 years prior. Additionally, since the discovery of “Swanscombe Lady’s” skull in final fragmentation as to making a reconstruction possible (1955 by John Wymer); other hominids, have, as well, been found.

The fragments, or a representation of the discoveries by way of plaster mold are prominently exhibited within the gallery walls. (The true remains are safely “tucked away” at the Natural History Museum.

Such (excavated) representations tell us the tale (of the days) of pre-historic London.

The first Londoners were a hearty lot, and most clever in the art of survival. The Thames River served as their main waterway.

There are other interesting items on display at the “new” gallery. In example, there is a life-like recreation of a woman from the Neolithic period (which is said to have been recovered from a rare burial mound at Staines Road, in Shepperton.)

Also noted, are images of a temple dating back to the Iron Age and round houses found at Heathrow, in the year 1944.

In conclusion, whether you have an interest in archaeology or paleontology or not, prehistoric displays, such as the one mentioned, will open your eyes to the theories of a London before London in new and surprising ways.

More information may be gleaned by going to: www.museumoflondon.org.uk.