Monument record FLN 057 - Flixton Park Quarry, Flixton, Phase 5 (Palaeolithic)

1999: Two hand-axes (one rolled, the other in mint condition) found between 2m and 5m deep, near each other at TM 3013 8610, during gravel extraction from quarry by plant operator. Found on floor of quarry, which had been puddled around by plant movement etc so impossible to know precise stratigraphic origin. Details to follow in assessment report (S1). Drawings in archive.

Note: for further single finds of hand-axes from quarry see FLN 061 (found in Early Saxon Sunken Feature Building).

The drawings show items that would not be out of place in a later Acheulean or Late Middle Palaeolithic context. Without closeer inspection or better context information, both must be considered as possible. Having said that the slight "Tear drop" form, the flaking and the location of the relic platform on the likley flake made piece might suggest the latter", (S4)

For Pre-Anglian deposits see FLN 065 & 068 (part of 061 area): bone, plant remains, insects and very fresh struck flint [said to be rich assemblage of over 200 in situ struck flints - flakes and cores; (S5) details to follow] found in Pre-Anglian organic channel in pit by Danielle Schreve , Barbara Silva and Ian Candy of the Royal Holloway University…….[it] "appears that there are fresh early Middle Pleistocene artefacts, a rolled series of handaxes of undetermined age and Middle Palaeolithic all present in different parts of the quarry' (S2).

For mamalian remains see (FLN 111)
2007:New investigations at this active sand and gravel quarry operated by Cemex UK Ltd, have revealed the presence of fossiliferous and artefact-rich deposits, preserved within a channel cut into the early Middle Pleistocene shallow marine Wroxham Crag. The channel fill is a diamictic unit, consisting of dark organic sands with abundant wood fragments, overlain by silts, sands and gravels. The sequence reflects the gradual infilling of a peripheral channel feature with episodic inwashing of coarser material and represents a very short-lived period of deposition. Early Palaeolithic archaeology has been recovered from the channel and so far consists of 3 cores and 78 flakes. The material is mostly in mint fresh unpatinated condition, but with a minor (<5%) slightly rolled component. All artefacts have been produced by direct hard-hammer percussion, with no indication thus far of soft hammer or handaxe manufacture. Both cores and flakes are notable for very pronounced cones of percussion and pronounced ripple marks, giving the overall impression of very hard, heavy-handed knapping.
The pollen spectra indicate a mosaic of coniferous and deciduous woodland as well as open grassland with evidence for disturbance and fire in the regional landscape. Rare plant macrofossils were present including sedge (Cyperaceae) and knotweed (Polygonum sp.), together with wood fragments of oak (Quercus), elm (Ulmus) and Pomoideae (a group that includes hawthorn, apple and rowan). Occasional small vertebrate remains (shrews, voles and fish) and larger vertebrate remains uncovered so far include an extinct beaver-like rodent (Trogontherium cf. cuvieri) and Hippopotamus sp. Together, the mammals indicate a temperate episode of early Middle Pleistocene age, with mean summer temperatures warmer than today. The insect faunas indicate diverse local habitats with a mature river that flowed continuously throughout the year, bordered by damp, shady places with sedges as well as other reedy vegetation. The beetles also indicate predominantly open country with stands of deciduous trees including ash, elm and oak. Dung beetles reflect the presence of large mammals in the vicinity. All the insect taxa still live in England and indicate an interglacial climate at least as warm as at the present day.
The fossiliferous and artefact-rich sediments are capped by a sandy diamicton attributed to the Happisburgh Till and then by the Happisburgh Sand and Gravel, itself overlain by Anglian Lowestoft Till. The archaeology and palaeontology of the Flixton channel is therefore of early Middle Pleistocene age and pre-dates either Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 12 or MIS 16, depending on the depositional model used. A minimum age of c.450 000 years old is therefore proposed on the basis of the stratigraphy, while palaeomagnetic samples taken throughout the section (all of normal polarity) indicate a maximum age of 780,000 BP. It is hoped that ongoing work on the biostratigraphy, combined with pioneering Optically-Stimulated Luminescence dating and cosmogenic nuclide dating will help to resolve the age of this important new locality. Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2007 (S5).

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 1999 (S6).