"Power of Place"-July 16

Hello, this is Mike with a 6/22/2009 insert. The above images are my scanned Georgetown News-Graphic (KY) columns I wrote during my Summer 2007 British Studies adventure. Left-click the articles to enlarge them. I now return you to the year 2007 and the "Power of Place."

Visited the Museum of London, Monday morn, July 16. Took the Tube's Northern Line out of Waterloo Station north to Tottenham Station where we switched to the eastbound Central Line. Hopped off at the St. Paul's stop and hoofed it to the Museum where we were greeted by our tour guide. An engaging fellow, he explained the mission of the museum--to show the importance of place for the historical development of London. In a nutshell, "No Thames, No London." The museum's numerous outstanding displays span London's development from prehistoric time to the present showing the Thames as the focal point for this development. Our guide contrasted the London Museum with the older British Museum saying that the London Museum encourages public access to its collection. Visitors are welcome to physically handle things like flint cutting tools and pottery. Handling a replica of the prehistoric Fingertip Decorated Bowl is a "wow moment." The bowl reveals prehistoric fingertip indentations near the top. Some bright fellow decided to take molds of the indentations. The result? Replicas of an ancient lady's fingertips.

Do you know how the Thames got its name? I'm sure your answer was: "It comes from the Romans who called the river Tamesa 'the flowing one'." What was the ancient name for London? No doubt you correctly replied: "The ancient name was Londinium derived from the Latin 'Plowondia' meaning 'the place where the river flows'." Have you ever heard of an auroch? Of course you know that an auroch was a huge fierce cow that ancient Londoners hunted for food. It went extinct in England 1,000 years ago but it continued on in continental Europe through the 17th century.