Historic collections (prehistory–1700s)

What was London like, long before it was London? And how has the city evolved over time? Alongside our scientific archaeological collections, London Museum’s historic collection houses many objects covering a vast period from prehistory to the 1700s. These have been discovered through building work, by individuals or in some cases have been passed down through the centuries.

For prehistory, the collection houses many flint and stone implements, including material of international importance from sites like Swanscombe, Yiewsley and Stoke Newington. There are also over 900 pieces of Bronze Age and Iron Age metalwork, mostly recovered from the Thames foreshore. Recently, the Havering Hoard, an important group of axe heads and other bronze objects, was added to the collection.

The museum has the largest collection of Romano-British statues in Britain. This includes world famous pieces such as the representations of Mithras, Minerva and Serapis from the site of the Temple of Mithras. Red, ‘samian ware’ terracotta forms the most important group of this material in Britain, while the Thames mud has preserved copious amounts of leather goods from the period. In total, this is probably the best collection of Roman material relating to Britain in one institution.

The early medieval period is particularly strong in goods from grave sites at Mitcham, Croydon, Hanwell and Ewell. There are also important collections of Late Saxon, Viking and Norman material, including pottery, domestic items and jewellery. The collection includes probably the finest Viking antiquity in the country, the carved tomb slab with a runic inscription found near St Paul’s Cathedral in 1852.

The medieval period is covered by an extraordinary collection of materials demonstrating the daily life of the city. With about 12,000 items, this includes dress accessories, knives, tools and arms and armour. Pilgrim and secular badges and souvenirs form an important group. The ceramics holdings are especially strong and demonstrate London’s trade links across Europe during this time.

Items from the Tudor period reflect huge changes in London life and society during this time, including the impact of the Reformation in the 16th century. These collections include metalwork, scientific instruments, trade tokens, musical instruments, and important holdings of glass and ceramics. The world-famous Cheapside Hoard is an internationally celebrated group of almost 500 pieces of Elizabethan and early Stuart jewellery.