HISTORY’S mysteries can endure, yet some of the River Thames’ most well-kept secrets are set to be raised and shared thanks to a special event organised by Southend Museums.

Museums chiefs are to host a day dedicated to sharing information about the archeological enigmas which lie beneath the murky waters of the Thames Estuary, including the now famous London shipwreck.

The Thames Archaeology Day will take place on Saturday, October 11, at the new Beecroft Art Gallery, in Victoria Avenue, Southend.

It will see academics and archaeologists giving talks about the important historical finds which have been dredged from the riverbed over the years, and how they have shaped our local history.

It will also enable visitors to see some of the artefacts which have been excavated.

A major part of the day will focus on excavations of the famous 17th century naval ship, which is rapidly deteriorating close to the end of the pier.

Lying in two parts on the seabed, the wreckwas discovered in 2008 during a salvage operation by professional archaeologists.

Southend Museums Service played a major part in the operation and has been working with English Heritage, Cotswold Archaeology and a local licensed diving team to rescue and research objects from the wreck.

Luisa Hagele, project curator at Southend Museums Service, said: “The museum service spent the summer recruiting and training local volunteers to help the archaeologists with find-sorting and preventive conservation, once the divers had excavated finds during this year’s excavation season.

“It also hosted two exciting events on the pier, during which people were able to witness the archaeologists handing over some of the freshly excavated artefacts to the museum staff and take a look at some of the objects, while learning about how they are stabilised and conserved.”

Over the course of the salvage dives, historical artefacts such as musket shots, fixtures, fittings and personal items, including pewter spoons and even the sole of a leather shoe were discovered.

All are destined for a new home in Southend’s Central Museum, early next year.

Luisa added: “The objects excavated this year are undergoing remedial conservation by conservators at the English Heritage labs and will return to Southend at the beginning of next year, where they will go on permanent display at Central Museum.”

Talks will also be given on other fascinating finds recovered from the Thames Estuary, including fragments of a German Junkers 88 bomber, which was recovered during dredging works for the new London Gateway Port, in 2011.

The lectures will start at 1pm, when Steve Webster, of Cotswold Archaeology, will be discussing work on the London shipwreck, the finds they have rescued so far and what this year’s investigations have taught them.

At 2pm Graham Scott, of Wessex Archaeology, will use parts from a Ju 88 T Luftwaffe special operations German bomber aircraft to talk about how this important relic of the Second World War was discovered and identified and about why one piece of wreckage continues to be an archeological mystery.

The final talk of the daywill be at 3pm and will feature Elliot Wragg from the Thames Discovery Programme, an ambitious project hosted by the Museum of London Archaeology, which will look at the history of the archaeology of the Thames in the greater London area.

Tickets cost £6 per person – over 14-year-olds only – and allow entrance to all three talks, the opportunity to look at some artefacts, the chance to speak to the archaeologists and free refreshments. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk or for ticket inquiries call 01702 212573.

The three talks will all take place in the Beecroft Lecture Theatre.