A HISTORY OF NORFOLK 



thus the evidence of particular specimens must be received w^ith 

 caution. 



The occurrence of Paleolithic implements is always of interest. 

 In Norfolk an implement was found in 1865 at Redhill, near Thetford, 

 and others subsequently were obtained at Shrub Hill Farm, on an islet of 

 gravel in Feltwell Fen, 3^ miles south-west of Feltwell. In the Little 

 Ouse valley at Bromehill, or Broomhill, in the parish of Weeting, north- 

 east of Brandon, implements have been found ; one was obtained in the 

 Yare at Cringleford by Mr. F. W. Harmer ; and others have been met 

 with in the Waveney valley near Bungay, and by Mr. A, C. Savin in 

 the valley gravel at West Runton. 



It should also be mentioned that Mr. W. J. L. Abbott recorded 

 worked flints from the Cromer Forest Bed Series at East Runton, but Sir 

 John Evans has failed ' to see any distinct marks of human workmanship 

 upon his specimens.' ' 



A Paleolithic implement was recorded from the coarse gravels at 

 Wells, in which remains of mammoth have been found. The gravel 

 here is not unlike some of the coarse Plateau Gravels, but may be of 

 later date. 



The older coarse gravels, as well as those of later date, were utilized 

 by the Palaeolithic men, as many implements in the Little Ouse valley 

 were fashioned from worn flints and some from Carboniferous sandstones 

 and grits, 



ALLUVIUM 



The alluvium itself comprises a variety of deposits ; mud and silt, 

 shell marl, peat and gravel ; and in it are found remains of Castor 

 fiber (beaver), Bos taurus {primigemus) , the so-called B. longifrons, Cervus 

 giganteus (Irish elk), Capreolus vulgaris (roe deer), Cervus elaphus (red 

 deer), Sus scrofa (boar), as well as goat and sheep. 



Rangifer tarandus (reindeer) has been recorded from Feltwell and 

 East Bilney ; and Cervus dama (fallow deer) from Brancaster. Fresh- 

 water shells, hazel nuts, etc., locally occur in the alluvial deposits. 



The alluvial clays have been used for brick-making in the Fenland, 

 also near Castle Rising, and occasionally at other localities. 



Peat has been dug in the Fenland, and it was observed by Mr. 

 S. B. J. Skertchly,'' that no village was situated on the peaty areas, as the 

 foundations would not permit of it, the few houses being supported by 

 piles driven deep into the clay below. The areas of silt and gravel are 

 marked by numerous villages. Peat has been dug for fuel, on a small 

 scale, in many other parts of Norfolk. 



The Fenland itself is mostly below the level of high water, and 

 comprises varied deposits of dark clay, silt and peat, altogether about 

 40 feet thick, and resting on the Jurassic clays. The Fenland clays 



' The Ancient Stone Imp/ements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, ed. 2, 8vo, 

 London, 1897, PP- 550> ^'c. 



* See 'Geology of the Fenland' {Geol. Survey), 1877 ; ^"'^ S. H. Miller and S. B. J. 

 Skertchly, 'The Fenland Past and Present,' 1878. 



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