In 1981, during the redevelopment of a house site adjacent to Stoke Newington Common, excavations were undertaken to relocate deposits known to contain Lower Palaeolithic implements. The sequence exposed provided evidence of a transition from an initial periglacial climate to warmer conditions. The undulating London Clay bedrock surface had been deeply eroded during gravel and sand deposition by a braided stream. The gravel contained two derived handaxes and waste flakes from handaxe production, which were mostly in a sharp condition. Overlying the gravel was soliflucted clayey silt, initial deposition of which accompanied the formation of immature periglacial polygons in the upper part of the gravel. Further accumulations of clayey silt subsequently covered and overfolded these polygons. Examination of the structure and grain size distribution of the clayey silt indicates that the upper part of the deposit is alluvium, probably deposited by the Hackney Brook. A disturbed Mesolithic flint industry, with some blade production, was contained within the alluvium.

The gravel and clayey silt probably date from the Late Devensian period, the alluvium from the succeeding, warmer, early Flandrian (Postglacial). The paper includes full reports on sediment analysis and flintwork.

Home /Lectures /Conferences /Publications /Archives /Benefits of membership /Links