Dickinson in England: Unearthing History Along the Thames
Students show off their discoveries after a day by the River Thames. Photos courtesy of Kristin Strock (center, in Dickinson T-shirt).
Students dive in to mudlarking in London, looking for remnants of the city's past
Each fall, students in the Dickinson in England study-abroad program undertake a two-week excursion in and around London. This fall, that excursion took the form of mudlarking on the banks of the Thames. And those 30 students were eager to get their hands dirty.
With Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Kristin Strock—who recently became the director of the Norwich program in England—students enjoyed cultural immersion and hands-on learning, literally digging into London's rich history, spanning two millennia of human activity along the riverbanks.
Mel Sumner ’26 (archaeology, medieval & early modern studies) inspects materials exposed on the riverbank at low tide.
Mudlarking, a practice dating back to the 18th century, involves searching the exposed riverbanks during low tide for historical artifacts. Once a necessity for impoverished Londoners seeking valuable items to sell, mudlarking is now a regulated activity requiring official permits.
During their mudlarking expedition, students uncovered a treasure trove of historical objects, including ceramic pipe pieces, pottery fragments, animal bones and oyster shells, many dating back to the 16th-18th centuries. These artifacts offer tangible connections to London's past, from the Roman era through the city's development as a global metropolis.
Beyond the thrill of discovery, the mudlarking experience provided an opportunity for current students to connect with Mike D'Aprix ’14, who guided the group along the riverbanks. D'Aprix is an archeologist and co-director of the Proactive Cultural Heritage Protection Network, as well as a student outreach agent at University College London, where he earned both his master's and Ph.D. in archaeological studies.
Mike D'Aprix ’14 shares a brief history of this part of London, offers an introduction to mudlarking and instructs the students on proper protocols all while sharing his connection to Dickinson with future alums.
The mudlarking adventure is just one example of how the Dickinson in England program combines academic rigor with experiential learning, allowing students to gain a deeper appreciation for history, archaeology and the ever-evolving story of one of the world's great cities.
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Published September 17, 2024