In this area there have been several chance archaeological discoveries. The specific location has been described as an area of eroding raised beach deposits set between two rock bluffs. It would appear that the raised beach deposits, representing an old ground surface, have been eroding away since at least 1857, when a 4ft deposit of midden deposits were first noted. The midden is said to have contained pottery, animal bone and carbonised wood and to have been associated with two vertical grooves carved into the rock surface, perhaps indicative of a structure of some kind. Human remains, apparently within cists, were found eroding from the coast edge in 1962 and again c. 1987. In 1990 an eroding inhumation burial was excavated. The area is now well vegetated and this survey found no sign of any deposits or features of an archaeological nature.
30/04/14 Eroding coastal section approximately 40m long and 2m high composed of windblown sand, contains evidence of buried soil horizons and possible anthropogenic deposits. A possible stone feature was noted, as well as one piece of butchered animal bone and one piece of Victorian willow pattern pottery.
Location
361217.00
684212.00
27700
56.0491905
-2.6242018
Submitted photographs
Image
Date
Caption
User
30/03/2014
Eroding section with possible stone feature
joannahambly
30/03/2014
Detail of possible stone feature in section
joannahambly
30/03/2014
Seacliff tower on headland and eroding section on right
joannahambly
30/03/2014
joannahambly
30/03/2014
joannahambly
30/03/2014
joannahambly
30/03/2014
joannahambly
30/03/2014
Seacliff 2
JillStro
30/03/2014
seacliff section 1
JillStro
Submitted updates
Update id
Date
User
1609
30/03/2014
JillStro
Tidal state
High
Site located?
Yes
Proximity to coast edge
Coast edge
Coastally eroding?
active sea erosion
Coastal defence
Yes
Visibility in section
Limited visibility in section
Access
accessible - difficult terrain; accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge
don't know
Description
In this area there have been several chance archaeological discoveries. The specific location has been described as an area of eroding raised beach deposits set between two rock bluffs. It would appear that the raised beach deposits, representing an old ground surface, have been eroding away since at least 1857, when a 4ft deposit of midden deposits were first noted. The midden is said to have contained potter, animal bone and carbonised wood and to have been associated with two vertical grooves carved into the rock surface, perhaps indicative of a structure of some kind. Human remains, apparently within cists, were found eroding from the coast edge in 1962 and again c. 1987. In 1990 an eroding inhumation burial was excavated. The area is now well vegetated and this survey found no sign of any deposits or features of an archaeological nature.
30/04/14 Eroding coastal section approximately 40m long and 2m high composed of windblown sand, contains evidence of buried soil horizons and possible anthropogenic deposits. A possible stone feature was noted, as well as one piece of butchered animal bone and one piece of Victorian willow pattern pottery.
Section should be recorded in more detail and monitored on a regular basis. Reassign priority 2