Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Durting the observation and recording of the deposits revealed in section at Barnfield pit, Swanscombe, in 1912-1914, a number of flint artefacts and animal remains were recorded which have been interpreted as being of a palaeolithic date. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)

Monument Types

• FINDSPOT (Lower Palaeolithic - 500000 BC? to 150001 BC)

Associated Finds

• ANIMAL REMAINS (Lower Palaeolithic - 500000 BC? to 150001 BC?)
• WORKED FLINT (Palaeolithic - 500000 BC to 10001 BC)

Full description

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Reginald Smith of the British Museum and Henry Dewey of the Geological Survey carried out the first methodical excavations of Craylands Pit in 1912 to 1914. In the sections of the pit which were recorded, five distinct units were identified within the deposits. Three, of which contained artefacts: the lower gravel contained plentiful mammalian remains and evidence of an artefact industry which consisted almost exclusively of thick flakes, the middle gravel contained bifaces and thinning flakes and the upper loam contained white patinated ovate bifaces. (1)

<1> Conway BW, McNabb J, & Ashton N, (ed's), 1996, Excavations at Barnfield Pit, Swanscombe, 1968–72. (Monograph). SKE32240.

Sources and further reading