The Thames Discovery Programme (TDP) and Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) were commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) to undertake a series of archaeological surveys of the eastern foreshore in front of 
Tower Wharf, London Borough of Tower Hamlets in advance of and during remedial work to stabilise the fast-eroding foreshore and protect the base of the river wall. 
Previous interim archaeological assessment reports have been written which summarised five seasons of volunteer work carried out on the site between 2010 and 
2014 along with further MOLA/TDP surveys, and a watching brief undertaken in 2013 and 2014. The original reports have been incorporated within this present document which replaces them and is also concerned with the geomatics and walkover survey undertaken on the 4th of August 2015. The site code is FTH01 and the Ordnance Survey National Grid Reference is TQ 3364 8033. 
A number of roundwood piles were recorded which were originally interpreted as two phases of Early Saxon fish-trap. It now seems more likely, due to the results of radiocarbon dating of samples, that there are more structures, one of which dates to the late Romano-British period. Interpretation, therefore, is problematic, although it 
seems most likely that the earliest may represent evidence of a Saxon settlement east of the Roman City during the 4th century AD. One possible large jetty of elm construction was recorded towards the bottom of the foreshore, it is possible that this may be of relatively early (pre 1295) date and may be associated with a construction phase of the Tower. Two possible stair bases were recorded on a different alignment 
to the current 14th century river wall and may be of similarly early date. The foundations of this river wall were recorded as being exposed from the cofferdam installed for the construction of Tower Bridge for a length of 31.60m westwards, up to 
a maximum depth of 0.85m. Cracks in the river wall were noted, and in one area the construction cut for the wall was recorded, sealed by c.17th century dumped deposits. 
The day before remedial works commenced a hole was observed where the foundations were starting to wash out. The foundation was repaired prior to remedial work being carried out. Six phases of campshed or barge bed revetment were recorded, their surviving height suggesting that they were of late medieval or early post-medieval date. A series of braces and re-used base-plates which had been previously interpreted as the bases of river stairs were re-interpreted as emergency revetments to protect the base of the river wall. A probable baseplate structure of 
probably post-medieval date was also recorded which may represent the remains of a much later river stair. A further structure was recorded to the east which appears to have been truncated by the cofferdam for the building of Tower Bridge and thus it was not feasible to attempt an interpretation. 
The most recent survey identified two new timbers which were not dated and did not appear to relate to those already identified, along with three areas of consolidation; one of 19th/20th century date, one probably dating to the 17th century, and one comprising undated redeposited alluvium.

Tower of London Archaeological Foreshore Assessment Report PDF

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