The Relic Palaeo-landscapes of the Thames Estuary: Site of the earliest hominid occupation of the British Isles?
- Reference:
- 09/P126
- Organisation:
- University of Southampton
- Amount Funded:
- £199,234
- Status:
- Current
The geological and heritage assessment of the Thames REC
revealed c. 15,000 km2 of palaeo-landscapes potentially
dating from 600-720 ka BP. These deposits
lie immediately offshore from the region that has produced the
earliest archaeological evidence for the occupation of the British
Isles (c. 600 - 700 ka BP). The exceptional level of preservation
of this landscape holds great potential for: understanding our
earliest archaeological heritage; understanding the broader
geological changes which have occurred during several episodes of
sea level change; and providing an enhanced context for a number of
aggregate licensing areas and other commercial seabed projects. To
resolve the true importance of this landscape an improved
chronology is essential. This will be achieved through a
combination of state-of-the-art dating techniques (palaeo-magnetic,
amino acid racemization and electron spin resonance) and additional
landscape analysis.