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Looking back in time

Finding the Evidence

• Archaeolological methods
• Taking a core
• Exploring a core
• Changing coastline
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Finding the Evidence

Select a section of the Thorney core from the diagram below. You will then see information relating to this part of the core sample. Click on the Evidence links to view specific evidence core timelines.

Exploring a Core: 3.5m-5.5m

Summary of evidence Radiocarbon Dating Age: N/A What era: Neolithic Sample from: 3.5m to 5.5m     Sediments Soft grey silt-clay. Frequent organic fragments.  Pollen Mixed oak woodland with alder, lime and elm. Some saltmarsh and wetland seeds  Foraminifera &            Ostracods Foraminifera typical of lower saltmarsh and tidal flats  Diatoms Brackish/marine  Molluscs Mixed broken marine bivalves but also terrestrial snails

Putting the evidence together This picture is close to the location of the core and shows the type of mudflats which were present 5,000 years ago when the valleys were rapidly silting up.

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Environment shown in core:	Intertidal mudflats and lagoon
Land nearby:	Mixed deciduous woodland
Comment:	This is the first clear evidence of widespread marine influence. It appears that there were frequent storms causing erosion of shorelines.

Core Depth 0-0.8m      0.8-1.5m     1.5-2.5m      2.5-3.5m     3.5-5.5m      5.5m     5.6m      5.8m       5.8-7m

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