A Late Palaeolithic Settlement in the Colne Valley, Essex

Abstract

The small flake implements belonging to a late palaeolithic industry, some of which are shown in the illustrations of this paper, were collected during about three years' work in some gravel pits which have been opened in a river terrace in the Colne Valley, Essex. That this site represents a settlement, and that the flints are not merely an aggregation of odd implements brought down by flood, there appears to be sufficient proof, first because of the distinctive nature of the industry itself, and secondly by the finding of hearths and depressions, which appear to be either the floors of pit dwellings or for use as wind-screens. The numerous cores and flakes also found suggest that the working places of implement makers have come to light.