Findspot record TR 26 NW 1205 - Reculver shore, numerous Palaeolithic handaxe finds without precise location details

Reculver shore, numerous handaxe finds recorded along shoreline to west of Reculver fort below Reculver cliffs (1-4). Most presumably originate from Pleistocene deposits outcropping at cliff-top, but these poorly understood (1-4). Most are of typical Acheulian pointed and sub-cordate forms, but also one of bout coupe form in British Museum, accession 1903.11-15.17 (5, 6). Also some possible Levalloisian flakes (3, 4).

TR 213 690, TR 206 687 - TR 212 689. Large number of lithic implements have been found on the beach below cliff of Thanet Sand and higher Tertiary Beds to London Clay, in an area mapped as Head Gravel geology. The sites at Reculver Cliffs have produced 159 handaxes, 3 roughout, 3 cores, 6 retouched flakes 38 flakes, 2 miscellaneous object and 6 levallois flakes. Thes figures are the minimum number of objects found.

Material for this record includes material recorded as Bishopstone, Bishopstone Gap, Bishopstone Point and The Haven by authority 2. Material marked as Herne Bay may also come from this site. Further Lithic implements have been found in the area and may be the same as some of the implements recorded in this record, see TR 26 NW 15, TR 26 NW 19, TR 26 NW 20, TR 26 NW 24 and TR 26 NW 61 for other sites in the area. (1-2)

<1> Prestwich, J., 1861, Notes on some further discoveries of flint implements in beds of Post-Pliocene Gravel and Clay (Article in serial). SWX6580.

<2> Evans, J., 1897, The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, pp. 613, 616 (Monograph). SWX6573.

<3> Roe, D.A., 1968, Gazetteer of British Lower and Middle Palaeolithic Sites, p. 171 (Monograph). SWX6570.

<4> Wessex Archaeology, 1993, The Southern Rivers Palaeolithic Project, Report No.2: The South West and South of the Thames [Vol. I - text], S-7, No's 3 and 4, p 152 (Monograph). SWX6569.

<5> Tyldesley JA, 1987, The Bout Coupé Handaxe: a Typological Problem. British Series 170. BAR, Oxford., p. 68 (Bibliographic reference). SKE29688.

<6> Roe DA, 1981, The Lower and Middle Palaeolithic Periods in Britain, p. 261 (Monograph). SKE29687.