90 



NEOLITHIC REMAINS ON THE NORTHUMBERLAND 



COAST. 



C. T. TRECHMAN'N', B.Sc. 



Chihhhi) flints appear to be absent from that part of the North- 

 umberland coast extending- from the mouth of the Tyne 

 northwards to Monkseaton. At the latter place where the coast 

 line is cleaner a few chippings were found. Further to the 

 North on the coast opposite to St. Mary's Island, more distinct 

 traces were noticed ; a few flakes occurring on a patch of bare 

 ground together with a gun flint and several fragments of 

 g-lazed pottery and broken bones.* 



The coast extending from the Island to Seaton Sluice is 

 more interesting from a purely geological point of view, and 

 has not afforded any flint flakes ; while from this point to Blyth 

 is a long stretch of blown sand which would conceal any neo- 

 lithic site which might exist. On approaching Newbiggin 

 flints begin to be more plentiful, and between Camboise and 

 Newbiggin they may be picked out of the soil capping the 

 edges of the cliffs. -|- 



The most prolific site however is situated about i mile North 

 ot Newbiggin, and nearly opposite the village of Woodhorn. 

 As in other localities the site is immediately above the sea coast. 

 The part where most of the flints have been found is an old 

 sandstone quarry near the promontory. In order to reach the 

 stone it has been necessary to strip off about 3 feet of clay 

 and rubble which covers the rock. This rubble, plentifully 

 mixed with pieces of sandstone, has been shot over the cliff on 

 the edge of the quarry nearest the sea coast, where every 

 specially high tide washes a portion away, exposing the flint 

 flakes and other stones. The chipped flints are also found 

 completely washed out of the soil and lying amongst the 

 shingle accumulated at high water mark. 



The series includes most of the usual objects found on such 

 sites, with the peculiarity that flint seems to have been an 



* This site is a curi(jiis orii.-, a similar one occurs at Newbig-gfin quite 

 mar the church, where a distinct stratum of a light colour may be noticed 

 beneath the brown sand. Such sites are quite difTerenf from the true Neolithic 

 sites which are rarely found amongst the brown sands. 



I' Pieces of flint are found in the so-called pre-glacial beach at this spot but 

 they are very different from the fragments and nodules used by Xeolithic 

 man. 



Naturalist, 



