M 15. W. Q. CLARKE ON NEOLITHIC MAN IN THETFORD DISTRICT. 
23 
II. 
NEOLITHIC MAN IN THETFORD DISTRICT. 
By W. G. Clarke. 
Reci'l .‘7th November, ISO. 
The neighbourhood of Thetford, on the borders of Norfolk and 
Suffolk, lias long been famous amongst archaeologists for the many 
relics of the occupation of prehistoric man found therein. Amongst 
the older race of students of prehistoric archaeology, those who 
heralded the birth of the new science, this district is chiefly 
connected with finds of Paleolithic remains in the river-gravel ; 
but of late years, diligent search has brought to light many surface 
implements referable to the Neolithic age, which for delicacy of 
workmanship yield the palm to very few English specimens. 
However, a brief review of previous discoveries in the neighbour- 
hood, will enable the student to obtain a clearer idea of the nature 
of the country in which they are found. 
In 18G6-7, whilst raising stone for the fenland at Red Hill, 
Thetford, many of the earlier Paleolithic or Old Stone Age imple- 
ments were thrown up by the workmen, specimens of which 
now adorn the principal museums of Britain and the Continent. 
Red Hill is the name given to a portion of Thetford Abbey Heath, 
by the stone-raisers, on account of the red colouration of the graveL 
On the right bank of the Little Ouse river, terraces of ferruginous 
sands, containing layers of dint-gravel, are found resting on the 
chalk, extending about a mile and a half along the river, at an 
average distance from it of forty yards, and rising from eight to ten 
yards above it. Large nodules of sub-angular flint, with some chalk 
pebbles and calcareous sand, four or live feet in thickness, compose 
the base of this bed, and it is in this coarse gravel that nearly all 
