Lithics 22

Reports fieldwork undertaken to map the Pleistocene geology of the site. Thirty-six flint artefacts are reported, including a patinated and abraded biface.

Offers the results of a detailed analysis of twenty-six flint scatters preserved in situ on a 140m section of the Thames floodplain. A total of 10,753 flints were recovered during excavation, mostly of Neolithic date. Background Mesolithic and Bronze Age activity is also evinced.

Reports the experimental firing of flint in a `roasting pit'. Concludes that the most appropriate type of fire for the purpose of heat treating lithic material is a low, wide, well fed fire that concentrates heat, rather than a tall narrow `bonfire'. An important factor appears to be that a thick bed of embers is required to retain the heat of the fire. Following the completion of the experiments the entire heating pit was excavated, with the intention that heat-treatment pits in the archaeological record will be more easily recognised.

Provides an account of four handaxes discovered during fieldwalking.