Looking at London since 1966
The City of London Archaeological Society (COLAS) was founded in 1966 to encourage an active appreciation of archaeology, particularly within the City of London and its environs. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the archaeology and history of London. COLAS is active with monthly lectures and visits for its members, and participates in local archaeology events. Our members continue to contribute to the study of the City and its environs through research and fieldwork with Thames Discovery Programme, recording features including eroding causeways, and abandoned barge beds, anchors and rudders.
COLAS is a Registered Charity supported entirely by the work of its volunteers.
Latest news
We’re excited to be collaborating with Dr Stuart Brookes from the UCL Institute of Archaeology for their programme of fieldwork along the Thames foreshore.
In December, we joined students led by Stuart, alongside Institute colleague Charlotte Frearson (Fieldwork and outreach) and Gustav Milne, COLAS President and former lead on the Thames Discovery Programme and CITiZAN projects, on the Thames foreshore at
Trig Lane stairs. We assisted in the uncovering and recording of the remains of a 17th or 18th-century jetty baseframe. The timbers observed are thought to be an addition to the features surveyed on the foreshore nearly 50 years ago by the London Department of Urban Archaeology’s Trig Lane excavation team in 1976. Adding another piece to the foreshore jigsaw!
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Contact us at colas_outreach@yahoo.co.uk
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400 years of York Watergate
Before London’s Victoria Embankment was built, the roads south of the Strand ran down to the river’s edge. There, by the steep river stairs, boatmen waited to ferry passengers along what was then London’s busy main highway – the Thames. Most river stairs were open to the public and served London’s transport needs in a…
COLAS lecture recordings
Lord Elgin and the Parthenon Sculptures at the British Museum
When Lord Elgin arrived in the Ottoman Empire as British ambassador, his main concern was to ensure good relations with the Turks against their mutual enemy, the French. He could not have realised that his name would be forever associated with some of the masterpieces from the Ancient World. Elgin originally intended the Parthenon sculptures should adorn his own home but the experience of bringing them to Britain ruined his health, his marriage and his bank balance. The sculptures he brought back to Britain used to be called the Elgin Marbles and have been a favourite of visitors to the museum for over 200 years. Join Dr William Sterling to learn more.
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