Sussex-Hampshire Coastal Corridor

This project is funded by the Aggregates Levy through English Heritage, and is jointly directed with Martin Bates of the Department of Archaeology, University of Lampeter. The Middle Pleistocene raised beach deposits of the West Sussex Coastal Plain (WSCP) have received considerable attention since the discovery and excavation of the Lower Palaeolithic site at Boxgrove. However, despite this attention considerable uncertainty exists regarding the precise number and age of many of these beaches. West of the WSCP, other, equally important, fluvial sediments exist in the Solent region. These deposits, although recently mapped by the British Geological Survey, contain abundant archaeological remains but are essentially undated.

Fig. 1. Project area

This project aims to characterise the range of Palaeolithic archaeological material from a range of sedimentary environments in the Solent region and the lower, post-Boxgrove marine deposits of the WSCP. In particular attempts will be made to clarify the numbers, age and environments of deposition of the sediments associated with archaeological remains. The project has involved archive research and study of museum collections, as well as prospection in the form of boreholes, test pits and quarry face cleaning.

Fig. 2. Dawn test pit on the Selsey foreshore

Where suitable, dating of sediments has been carried out using Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating of sand bodies as well as Amino Acid Geochronology on molluscan remains. Fieldwork has been carried out at over 20 sites, leading to the discovery of a number of deposits with environmental evidence or Palaeolithic archaeological remains.

Fig. 3. Test pit for OSL dating of the Aldingbourne raised beach

Fig. 4. Handaxe from fluvial terrace in the Test Valley, Mottisfont

References
Wenban-Smith, F.F. & Hosfield, R.T., ed's. 2001. Palaeolithic Archaeology of the Solent River. Lithic Studies Society Occasional Paper 7. Lithic Studies Society, London.

Wenban-Smith, F.F. 2001. As represented by the Solent River: handaxes from Highfield, Southampton. In F.F. Wenban-Smith & R.T. Hosfield (ed's) Palaeolithic Archaeology of the Solent River: 57–69. Lithic Studies Society Occasional Paper 7. Lithic Studies Society, London.