WCIT MONITOR Issue 68 May 2016 | Page 8

MONITOR FELLOWSHIP Mithras talk Museum of London Archeology Talk Recent finds at the Temple of Mithras site in Walbrook, London Contributed by Liveryman Tim Rhodes, Secretary to the Events Panel A well-attended presentation at the WCIT Hall in February 2016 was given by Sophie Jackson, a Project Manager at Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA). Since 2010 she has been coordinating archaeological work associated with the new Bloomberg London development. ©mola.org.uk Sophie gave a fascinating and often amusing talk about London in AD 240 (illustrated with both slides and some examples of finds), and about the original temple of Mithras discovery, the proposals for a new reconstruction of the temple on the site and the wonderful finds from the 2012 excavation. She also described how IT is increasingly key in archaeological recording and analysis and is revolutionizing how the past is recorded. As part of the educational work of MOLA the donations of £135, kindly donated from the attendees of the evening, have been granted to MOLA by the WCIT Charity towards the purchase of a tablet to demonstrate digital analysis and recording in archaeology, as part of the mobile education lab “Time Truck” - to be taken to schools and communities. A wonderful bonus of the evening and thank you to all those who donated. The Bloomberg London site is hugely important for the history of London; in 2012, in advance of construction for the new Bloomberg building, MOLA was allowed to work on the site to excavate and record archaeological deposits alongside remains of the lost Walbrook River. The wet ground created perfect conditions for the survival of archaeological material and some 10,000 finds were made. This included objects and structures made of wood and leather, which rarely stand the test of time, leading archaeologists to dub it ‘the Pompeii of the north’. The result is an extraordinary glimpse into life in bustling Roman Londinium. Top: Photo [©Mola] - The original Temple of Mithras dig in 1954 and below this is Sophie Jackson showcasing some of the artefacts found at the site. Thanks are due to WCIT Freeman Maggie Berry who organised the Presentation and to the Hall staff for providing support. For more information about the Temple of Mithras at the Bloomberg London site please visit the MOLA website at: www.mola.org.uk/ Save the Date!!.... 20th July WCIT Charity Golf Day Page 8 4th May 2017 WCIT 25th Anniversary Dinner at Guildhall