Prehistoric Period. 445 



The evidence of uninterrupted succession from Neolithic to 

 Historic times rests on much surer grounds. Exploration of Swiss 

 lakes and the peat beds which represent ancient lake bottoms 

 reveals a series of " relic-beds," the oldest containing stone 

 implements only, the intermediate stone and bronze, and the latest 

 iron, all the beds being associated with piles and platforms which 

 supported the lake dwellings. 



In the district under review we have an area probably unique in 

 the extensiveness of its prehistoric data. Let us briefly consider 

 them in order. 



EOLITHIC PERIOD. 



The very ancient gravels capping the -escarpment of the North 

 Downs above Ightham have been for years the subject of the much 

 controverted question of Eoliths. Mr. Benjamin Harrison, of 

 Ightham, and, later, Sir Joseph Prestwich, were the earliest 

 exponents of the theory that these gravels contained the imple- 

 ments of a race of men considerably antecedent to the Palaeolithic 

 period. 



It may be well to state briefly the facts and arguments in favour 

 of this theory. The flints under consideration are found in these 

 ancient " plateau " gravels only except in instances where they 

 have been washed down into more recent beds. While Eolithic and 

 Palaeolithic flints have been found together at the surface, Eoliths 

 alone are found in situ in the plateau gravels. 



The skilled products of the Palaeolithic period suggest a preceding 

 stage of cruder culture and implements, and it is claimed that these 

 flints represent this earlier time. 



The Eolithic implements are deeply stained with iron oxide, 

 the chippings are taken off one face or one edge only the dexterous 

 flaking of the succeeding period is absent, but, at the same time, 

 the implements tend to approximate to certain defined types. 



PALAEOLITHIC PERIOD. 



The tools of this period are found in the older river gravels and 

 brickearths of the Thames, notably at Swanscombe and Green- 

 hithe, in the Darenth Valley at Shoreham, and in the Ravensbourne 

 Valley at West Wickham, Hayes, and Keston, where also polished 

 and unpolished implements of the Neolithic age are occasionally 

 found. The Cray gravels at Greenstreet Green, near Farnborough, 

 have also yielded numerous Palaeolithic implements. * A few have also 



