The Adam Park Project

Item Information:

Catalogue Number: 7/03/008 Source: TAPP Archaeology Surveys Location: No.17 Adam Park Report No: Report No.3 Artifact Type: Food & Rations Production Date: 0007-04-19 00:00:00 Dimensions of Item: 55mm dia Copyright with The Adam Park Project

Other Description:

This item is cap from the top of a jar. It is 55mm in diameter and has an inner screw thread. The writing on the top clearly says the word ‘Horlicks’ in heavily italicized text.

Historic Context:

Horlicks is a well known malt drink that was first created by William and James Horlick in Chicago in 1873. The brothers soon established a dry powder version of their product and set about exporting their product worldwide. So much so that James returned to Britain to start a new factory in Slough in 1906. In 1909 Horlicks notoriously became a stable part of the arctic explorers ration packs and when the First World War broke out Horlicks was used by the armed forces. By 1939 Horlicks tablets became standard issue in the ration packs for allied troops and these are today manufactured in Malaysia as Horlicks Malties. At the end of the war the company headquarters were moved to the UK where it has continued to strengthen the brand up to the present day under the auspices of the Beecham Group.