EARLY MAN 



Implements of a mixed type were found in a gravel-pit, now built 

 upon, on the Redlands estate at Reading. They were not abundant, 

 and were usually abraded. Although only about 40 feet above the 

 river-level, a fine specimen 1 of the pointed type, very ochreous but in 

 good condition, was found. Only a few flakes were noticed. This 

 must be regarded as a drift-accumulation. In the same neighbourhood, 

 at Southern Hill, at the higher level of more than 100 feet above the 

 river Thames, an implement of good form with cutting edge all round 

 was obtained. 



On the east side of the town of Reading, in a gravel-pit at Sonning 

 Hill, about 80 feet above the river-level, implements have been found 

 from time to time. They are usually much abraded, but good forms 

 have been found, and the predominant type appears to be the ovate- 

 lanceolate. Very few flakes occur. From the spoil-bank formed of the 

 material taken from the cutting at this spot when the Great Western 

 Railway was constructed, was obtained a fine and large ovoid imple- 

 ment, now in the Reading Museum. At Charvil Hill, near Twyford, 

 still further east, implements have been found by Mr. L. Treacher, who 

 obtained others during the widening of the Great Western Railway 

 near this spot. That gentleman has also found many implements at 

 Ruscombe near Twyford in a thin spread of gravel overlying brick-earth 

 at about 60 feet above the river-level. These implements are various in 

 character, but pointed tools are well represented. A large implement of 

 elongated form and rounded at the smaller end has been presented by 

 Mr. Treacher to the Reading Museum, which possesses numerous 

 examples of the flint implements discovered in this county. 



Many implements have been found in the Maidenhead district 

 in the sheets or terraces of gravel which extend from that town 

 to Cookham. At the higher levels the implements are usually 

 rolled and abraded. Some are quite rude in shape ; others have a 

 very sharp cutting edge. At the lower level of about 75 feet above 

 the river, near the hamlet of Furze Platt, implements were very 

 abundant, with much individualization of type. Most of the tools are 

 little stained or water-worn ; and, although the chipping is frequently 

 done with skill, there is evidence of remarkable thrift in the use of 

 material, and also, one might say, an absence of natural pride in the 

 appearance of the work ; the original shape of the rough nodules having 

 been very much utilized, so that sometimes only half of the nodule has 

 been worked. The types here include a peculiar form of hatchet in 

 which the cutting end is neither pointed nor round, but chisel-shaped 

 to some extent an anticipation of neolithic form. The implements 

 were mostly found near the base of the gravel, and flakes were 

 abundant. There was doubtless a settlement at or near this spot.* 



It will thus be seen that the population of Berkshire in the Palaso- 



1 Now in the Reading Museum. 



2 Implements of a mixed type, usually water-worn, have also been found at Cookham at a somewhat 

 higher level. A very fine specimen from this locality is in the Reading Museum. 



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