500-year-old skeleton found in River Thames wearing remarkably well-preserved boots

It is estimated the man was aged under 35
MOLA Headland
Olivia Tobin4 December 2018

A 500-year-old skeleton has been found in the River Thames wearing remarkably well-preserved knee-high leather boots.

The mysterious male skeleton was found face down in the Thames mud by archaeologists working on one of the sites used to build London’s sewers in Bermondsey.

Incredibly, the man’s tough leather boots have survived centuries and are in good enough nick for examination.

Archaeologists are now trying to determine who the man was, how he came to be found in the Thames and how long he has been there.

Experts estimate the skeleton could have been in the murky waters since the late 1400s or early 1500s at the latest.

It is believed he may have been under the age of 35 at the time of his death and led an active life.

The boots would have reached thigh height, when fully extended
MOLA Headland

An archaelogical team, from the MOLA Headland Infrastructure said: “The river was a hazardous place even in the late 15th century, so perhaps his occupation was the cause of his death and the reason he came to be discovered.

“Could he have been a fisherman, a mudlark or perhaps a sailor? Was he climbing the Bermondsey Wall when he fell into the water?

“Did he become trapped in the mud and drown? The discovery has sparked an investigation by a team of our archaeological and osteological experts who are unravelling the mystery of the booted man in the mud.”

The MOLA Headland said leather would have been expensive and often re-used during this time period, so it’s unlikely that someone would be buried wearing such a highly-prized item.

When fully extended, the boots would have reached thigh-height, so would be perfect for walking out into the river or into the sticky Thames mud, archaeologists said.

This research leads archaeologists to believe the man was not buried deliberately, and he possibly made his living from the river.

Teams are working to establish who the man may have been
MOLA Headland

Beth Richardson, Finds Specialist at MOLA Headland, said: “By studying the boots we’ve been able to gain a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of a man who lived as many as 500 years ago.

“They have helped us to better understand how he may have made his living in hazardous and difficult conditions, but also how he may have died. It has been a privilege to be able to study something so rare and so personal.”

The position of the skeleton’s bones also suggest he may have fell, as his arm was above his head.

MOLA said: “These clues could suggest that he fell or drowned and was covered quickly by the ground as it moved with the tide. Our osteological experts have not identified evidence of any injuries at the time of death or a cause of death.

“However, they have uncovered some clues about how he might have made his living, evidence of the damage to his physical health from the extreme physical demands of his work on his body, and why he might have ended up in the silty deposits of the River Thames where he lay undisturbed for more than 500 years.”

Marks on the man’s skeleton also indicate his daily life would not have been comfortable and it is likely he was in pain every day, due to suffering from osteoarthritis.

Grooves on the man’s teeth also suggest the man made his living from the river, as it’s possible he was passing rope between his teeth, as a fisherman might.

MOLA said: “We may never know the answer to exactly how the booted man came to rest in the river, but his untimely death has offered an incredible opportunity to learn from him: to explore the relationships between the people of London in the past and the river Thames and how this dangerous and powerful natural resource was used by so many as a means of making a living.”

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