Pan Urban Extension, Newport

Project type: Geoarchaeological Survey

As part of the large-scale archaeological assessment undertaken at Great Pan Farm by ASE, the Boxgrove Project undertook a detailed geoarchaeological investigation of ancient river deposits preserved across the site.  This work aimed to reconstruct the history of landscape change and human occupation within the valley of the River Medina.  Detailed analysis of the sedimentary and environmental sequence preserved within the palaeolandscape has now shown that the valley preserve a Pleistocene record spanning several hundred-thousand years.

Of particular interest were deposits from the base of the valley.  Here, finds of Lower Palaeolithic tools found at the beginning of the 20th century led to Great Pan Farm being recognised as a nationally significant Stone Age site.  These stone tools, which included a rich assemblages of bifaces came from the lowest of the now recognised six fluvial Terraces of the River Medina.  Its date had always been debated, with estimates ranging from between 240,000 years and 40,000 years before present. Determining its date more fully was of key importance; some artefacts types from the site had previously been thought to have been used by Neanderthal populations in Britain immediately prior to the arrival of modern humans.  The site therefore held the potential to throw important light on the nature of the occupation of the island by this now-extinct human species.

The work undertaken by Archaeology South East and the Boxgrove Project Team, revealed a well-preserved organic layer, immediately overlaying the gravels of the lowest Medina terrace.  These peats contained well-preserved plant remains, wood and reed fragments that were initially thought to be modern due to their excellent condition.  Samples of this material were sent to colleagues in Europe and the United States for detailed examination, the initial results from this on-going analysis have already helped to considerably widen our understanding of this important site. 

The peat deposits were revealed as pre-Holocene.  They contained plants remains and seaweeds indicating a warm tidal inlet dating to in excess of 40,000 B.P.  Pollen evidence has indicated the local presence of coniferous forest close to the site, perhaps similar to the stands of maritime pine on the modern Atlantic coast of France.  The environmental evidence therefore shows that the tools were made by groups of Neanderthals occupying a warm, maritime environment similar to those of the modern Solent coasts today.  The combined evidence for a high sea level and tools of Neanderthal type therefore suggests a likely date for the site of 250,000 B.P.  This was a warm period where these early human hunters shared the British Landscape with Elephant, Rhinoceros and Horse.  Elephant teeth n found at the site may represent the remains of carcasses brought down and butchered by these early Neanderthals hunters.  Further, on-going, analysis by the Boxgrove Project team is seeking to develop a more detailed understanding of human activity and environmental conditions at the site, a project now taken forward beyond the developer-funded phase of work as part of our wider academic research programme.  These studies now look set to unlock further our knowledge of Neanderthal society and technology.

Future investigations at the site could have a significance for the island beyond simply providing archaeological information on its earliest inhabitants.  The Isle of Wight is already an internationally recognised region for its rich and diverse palaeontological fauna, from Cretaceous Dinosaurs to Tertiary fossil beds.  The identification now of an extensive suite of sediments and archaeology dating to in excess of a quarter of a million years adds a no less exciting dimension to this unique natural resource.  Namely preserved elements of a lost valley landscape where Neanderthals once hunted amongst the now herds of extinct horse, elephant and rhinoceros.  As this work is taken forward over the next few years by the Boxgrove Project, results from this important site will therefore help to cement the reputation of the island as one of the key locales in Northern Europe for understanding our geological past.

Project Officers: Jon Sygrave and Matt Pope
Client: WCA Heritage
Project type: Geoarchaeological Survey