These 'archaeological finds' were all retrieved from the cottages or gardens over the past thirty or forty years, either in the course of general gardening, or renovation work. We believe they put us closer to the people who lived in Blue Row in earlier years, by giving an insight into the things they dropped, lost, or perhaps deliberately threw away, in the cottages or gardens. The pictures below are just a small sample. Items continue to be turned up as vegetables are dug or flowers planted. These include old iron nails, horseshoes, shards of pottery or glass, sometimes whole glass bottles, hoe and rake heads.

As well as these 19th and 20th century artifacts, the stones tell their own story. Some contains fossils. Others, most visibly in No. 2, show signs of burning. Were stones from the old messuage that burned down used in building Blue Row? We like to think so.

(Click on images below to enlarge in new window - maximise if necessary.)

George lll halfpenny (1806) found in a window seat during renovations in the 1970s

It was traditional in rural Oxfordshire for building labourers to put a coin of the year of their work somewhere in the fabric of the building, usually in a fireplace or window seat, for good luck. The halfpenny stays inside the house.

Medal commemorating Queen Victoria’s jubilee found between the floorboards

This clearly refers to her coronation in 1838 on the reverse. By the age of the portrait, we think this is for the Diamond Jubilee in 1897 rather than the Golden Jubilee in 1887, since the portrait of her with the crown covered by a veil was not struck until 1893. We assume this is a cheap copy, as it does not look exactly the same as the official commemorative medals.

Victorian clay pipe found in garden

One of a number of pieces of old smoking pipes, this one, showing a face, is the most interesting. (This is just one.) There are lots of web sites covering the history of clay smoking pipes.

Old Metal Objects

There have been numerous metal objects found, including iron nails, pieces of cartwheel rim, cooking pots, and agricultural and gardening implements from former times - this is just a selection.

Horseshoes

Many horseshoes have been found, ranging in size from large cart-horse to smaller riding horses. Horse shoes must always be displayed as a 'U' and not upside down (so we've been told) lest all the luck drops out!