Condition

2
ORGANIC MATERIAL, INTERTIDAL PEAT, SUBMERGED FOREST
Fife

Description

Prehistoric landsurface exposed at LW ShoreUPDATE 16/10/2016: A thin layer (c. 6-10cm thick) of dark brown compressed woody peat overlying blue/grey clay is intermittently exposed betwen the high and low water marks(extending beneath the latter) along a c. 400m stretch of the south shore of the Tay estuary, just east of Flisk Point. The peat exposures appear to be bounded by the remnants of stone field boundaries extending into the beach and intertidal zone. This is due to there being relatively less shingle overburden within this area. The true extent of the peat is probably much more extensive. The peat is full of hazel nuts, bark, twigs, and trunks and in situ roots of trees. Modern wood fragments and branches from adjacent woodland are also incorporated into the surface of the peat especially at the back of the beach. This deposit looks like a submerged forest. The date is not known, but it could be related to Holocene relative sea level fall in the Tay Estuary following de-glaciation.

Location

331715.00
722795.00
27700
56.3924675
-3.1077027

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Portion of branch - possibly recently incorporated into peat surface 16/10/2016 Portion of branch - possibly recently incorporated into peat surface joannahambly
Portion of branch - possibly recently incorporated into peat surface
Bark in peat 16/10/2016 Bark in peat joannahambly
Bark in peat
Hazel nuts and vegetation in peat 16/10/2016 Hazel nuts and vegetation in peat joannahambly
Hazel nuts and vegetation in peat
Closer view of wood, vegetation and hazel nut fragments in peat 16/10/2016 Closer view of wood, vegetation and hazel nut fragments in peat joannahambly
Closer view of wood, vegetation and hazel nut fragments in peat
General view of nature of intermittent peat bed exposure beneath the shingle beach, looking E 16/10/2016 General view of nature of intermittent peat bed exposure beneath the shingle beach, looking E joannahambly
General view of nature of intermittent peat bed exposure beneath the shingle beach, looking E
Location of peat exposure between  stone alignments, looking east 16/10/2016 Location of peat exposure between stone alignments, looking east joannahambly
Location of peat exposure between  stone alignments, looking east

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
2774 16/10/2016 joannahambly
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Intertidal
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion
Visibility above ground Limited visibility (partial remains)
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge don't know
Description Prehistoric landsurface exposed at LW ShoreUPDATE 16/10/2016: A thin layer (c. 6-10cm thick) of dark brown compressed woody peat overlying blue/grey clay is intermittently exposed betwen the high and low water marks(extending beneath the latter) along a c. 400m stretch of the south shore of the Tay estuary, just east of Flisk Point. The peat exposures appear to be bounded by the remnants of stone field boundaries extending into the beach and intertidal zone. This is due to there being relatively less shingle overburden within this area. The true extent of the peat is probably much more extensive. The peat is full of hazel nuts, bark, twigs, and trunks and in situ roots of trees. Modern wood fragments and branches from adjacent woodland are also incorporated into the surface of the peat especially at the back of the beach. This deposit looks like a submerged forest. The date is not known, but it could be related to Holocene relative sea level fall in the Tay Estuary following de-glaciation.
Re-assign Priority 2 on the basis that it is probably a very extensive deposit, and more work needs to be done to ascertain it's potential. But it is not at urgent risk of loss. Has this peat been studied and dated? If not a programme of sampling and radiocarbon dating to characterise archaeological and palaeoenvironment potential should be carried out.

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