Title: |
REPORT ON THE GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL BOREHOLE INVESTIGATIONS AT PRIORY ROAD, DARTFORD, KENT |
Series: |
Quaternary Scientific (Quest) unpublished report series
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Downloads: |
quaterna1-193393_1.pdf (560 kB)
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Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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DOI |
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Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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Abstract: |
The aim of the investigations was to clarify the nature of the sub-surface stratigraphy across the site, the age of the Peat and its palaeoecological potential. This was achieved by putting down three boreholes, together with an assessment of the micro and macrofossil content and radiocarbon dating. The results indicate a sequence of Late Glacial Shepperton Gravel overlain Alluvial deposits and Peat. The Shepperton Gravel surface appears to undulate, resting between approximately 2.8 and 4.0m BGL. The Alluvial sediments resting on the Shepperton Gravel surface are indicative of deposition within slow to moderately fast moving water, semi-aquatic, and semi-terrestrial environments. Spatial and temporal variations between these environments are indicated by the complex distribution of the Alluvial sediments; these variations are fairly typical of a small floodplain valley. The deposits date from the early Mesolithic to early Bronze Age. Pollen and macrofossil remains were preserved in a moderate to good state of preservation. The assemblages suggest cold climatic conditions, with the growth of herbaceous taxa on the floodplain and nearby occurrence of pine and birch woodland, with a later transition to warmer mixed deciduous woodland. The assessment thus demonstrated that the organic-rich sediments preserved have good potential to provide a detailed reconstruction of past environments in the Darent Valley. Indeed, the results of the radiocarbon dating indicate a rare opportunity to reconstruct environments during the early Mesolithic cultural period. Unfortunately, however the potential for providing a detailed reconstruction of the environmental conditions on this particular site are substantially diminished due to the truncation of the Peat and poor retention of borehole core material and thus no further work is recommended. Nevertheless, the results of the assessment provide valuable information for future investigations within the local area. |
Author: |
C R Batchelor
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Publisher: |
Quaternary Scientific (Quest)
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Other Person/Org: |
Historic England (OASIS Reviewer)
Kent SMR (OASIS Reviewer)
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Year of Publication: |
2014
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Locations: |
Site: |
Priory Road, Dartford, Kent |
County: |
Kent |
District: |
Dartford |
Parish: |
DARTFORD |
Country: |
England |
Grid Reference: 553910, 174920 (Easting, Northing)
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Subjects / Periods: |
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Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
quaterna1-193393 |
OBIB: |
Quaternary Scientific (QUEST) Unpublished Report October 2014; Project Number 193/14 |
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Source: |
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Relations: |
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Created Date: |
01 Feb 2018 |