Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Numerous Palaeolithic artefacts of varying types (handaxes, Clactonian cores/flakes, and flake-tools) were collected at this pit (east of Stanhope Road, Swanscombe) when it was open in the 1930s-1950s. Molluscan remains were also observed in deposits in its west face, which still survive.

Monument Types

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

Associated Finds

• CORE (Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic - 500000 BC to 125000 BC)
• DEBITAGE (Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic - 500000 BC to 125000 BC)
• HANDAXE (Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic - 500000 BC to 125000 BC)
• LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic - 500000 BC to 40001 BC)

Full description

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Numerous Palaeolithic artefacts of varying types (handaxes, Clactonian cores/flakes, and flake-tools) were collected at this pit (east of Stanhope Road, Swanscombe) when it was open in the 1930s-1950s. Molluscan remains were also observed in deposits in its west face, which still survive.

Dewey (1) describes the sequence on the west face of the pit. He reports Clactonian cores/flakes from the lowest gravel bed, molluscan remains from the overlying sand bed, and handaxes of various types (including pointed and ovate) from the deposits above this sand bed. Also various finds by Burchell (2), Chandler (3) and Moir (4). Tester later made further finds and observations in the 1950s and 1970s (5, 6). The site is listed by Roe (7) and described by Wymer (8). It was visited/assessed for the ME survey (9). It is now backfilled and landscaped, but natura deposits survive around at the west edge of the pit, and along its north face, under the footpath heading east from Swanscombe (TQ 60840 74340).

<1> Dewey H, Smith RA, 1932, The Palaeolithic deposits of the Lower Thames Valley. (Article in serial). SKE32222.

<2> Burchell, J.P.T, 1934, Fresh facts relating to the Boyn Hill terrace of the Lower Thames Valley. (Article in serial). SKE32193.

<3> Chandler RH, 1932, The Clactonian industry and report of field meeting at Swanscombe (II). (Article in serial). SKE32186.

<4> Moir JR,, 1935, Two St. Acheul Blades. (Article in serial). SKE32195.

<5> Tester PJ,, 1955, Destruction of Rickson’s Pit, Swanscombe. (Article in serial). SKE32203.

<6> Tester PJ,, 1984, Clactonian Flints from Rickson’s Pit, Swanscombe. (Article in serial). SKE32196.

<7> Roe, D.A., 1968, Gazetteer of British Lower and Middle Palaeolithic Sites, p 182 (Monograph). SWX6570.

<8> Wymer, JJ, 1968, Lower Palaeolithic Archaeology in Britain as represented by the Thames Valley., p351-352 (Monograph). SKE29697.

<9> Wessex Archaeology, 1993, The Southern Rivers Palaeolithic Project, Report No.2: The South West and South of the Thames [Vol. I - text], NWK 5.3 (A) (Monograph). SWX6569.

<10> Essex County Council & Kent County Council, 2003, Archaeological Survey of Mineral Extraction Sites around the Thames Estuary, KT 585 (Unpublished document). SKE12012.

Sources and further reading