Sheppard : The Making of East Yorkshire. 137 



During- the erosion of the Holderness clay cHffs these old 

 lake beds are cut into (see Plate V.), and an examination thereof 

 supplies an interesting record of the former condition of things 

 prevailing-. 



In the lowermost layers are remains of the dwarf Arctic 

 Birch [Betiila nana), a plant which does not thrive in the 

 same surroundings to-day, and indicates the probable climatic 

 conditions prevailing- at the close of the glacial period. 



Next we see that as the climate ameliorated, animals and 

 plants with which we are more familiar thrived in the district ; 

 Oak, Scotch Fir, Beech, and Hazel grew in numbers, and in, 

 these woods lived the animals previously enumerated. 



Later in some parts, and contemporaneously in others, the 

 meres occupied parts of Holderness, arid we find the remains 

 of Pike and freshwater shells preserved in the marl, giving some 

 indication of the former conditions which prevailed. Eventually, 

 in mediaeval or earlier times, the land was drained, cultivated, 

 and became rich fertile fields. 



Bearing somewhat on the making of East Yorkshire is the 

 question of the first appearance of man in the district, whose 

 influence, of course, has had some effect on the present 

 aspect of the area. In other parts of England remains of 

 palaeolithic man are known. These principally consist of flint 

 implements of a primitive type, which are found in association, 

 with remains of the Mammoth, Rhinoceros, and other animals 

 now extinct. In Yorkshire in different places have been found 

 bones of such animals, but hitherto no traces of palaeolithic man 

 have been met with. If they do occur they will probably be- 

 recorded in the pre-g-lacial sands and gravels at Sewerby and 

 Hessle already referred to. Possibly they may occur in the gravel 

 pit at Brough or at Bealsbeck, where traces of animals which 

 have proved to be contemporary with palsej^lithic man elsewhere 

 have been recorded. So far, however, we have no evidence of 

 his existence in Yorkshire. We have abundant proof of Neolithic 

 or the new Stone-Age man. He occupied this district when it 

 was a land of meres and marshes. Mr. Boynton discovered at 

 Ulrome, in 1880, a lake dwelling at a considerable depth from 

 the surface, and associated wnth a peat deposit. The structure 

 measured 90 ft. by 60 ft., and was held in position in the lake 

 by piles of oak. Examination proved that two distinct habita- 

 tions occupied the site. The lower one contained evidence of 

 the earliest settlers in this district of which we have any 



1905 May I. 



