Page 5 - Purbeck Society Spring Newsletter 2022 (xxx

a personal desire to do so) Karen is now in discussion with
archaeological consultants, Terrain Archaeology based near Dorchester,
to catalogue and date the flints. Although the flints are not from an
excavation, stratified and consequently dateable in that regard. The
form, mode of manufacture, type of flint used and the patination and
wear should allow for some conclusions to be made. Many thousands
of years ago, Studland bay was land with the Solent river leading
eastwards around the north side of what is now the Isle of Wight. It
would have been important habitat and feeding grounds for the animals
and fish humans relied on. The flint tools are evidence of this even if
actual specific archaeological sites have yet to be identified in this area.
As a mobile population habitation living in temporary shelters, sites are
rare. However in certain areas, the gravels as a remnants of river
terraces and glacial meltwaters include tools. A particular bed of gravel
uncovered during the construction of the railway at Moreton station led
to the discovery of several handaxes dated to the Paleolithic period
(250,000 to 10,000 years ago, a very long era but the handaxes are
probably from the later period). The same gravels pop up at Arne and
Rempstone and at the back for the golf course near Aglestone rock.
Worked flints have been found on sites in Purbeck and random finds on
the beaches and fieldwalking provides evidence of human occupation in
the area. An Acheulian handaxe from the Paleolithic period was found
some years ago on the beach below the Grand hotel, Swanage although
the gravels are evident in that area.

Now a body of flints has been collected in a specific area, namely
Studland, it is hoped that the assemblage can provide specific evidence
of mans occupation and activities in the area. Specific tools are used for
specific activities and the method of manufacture and type of stone
used can indicate age and origin. It is thought most of the worked flints
found at Studland are Neolithic to Bronze age. During the Bronze age
humans were beginning to clear areas for farming and livestock.
Although people think of the heathland as a wild and unmanaged