Monument record 0013900000 - HIGG'S & HILL'S GRAVEL PIT

Summary

Lower to Middle Palaeolithic handaxes found in Higg's or Hill's gravel pit. One handaxe was found by Mr J F Wyley. The objects were found in an area of Lynch Hill Gravel geology.

Protected Status/Designation

  • Archaeological Notification Area: Early Palaeolithic deposits (DBC9836)

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Type and Period (1)

  • FINDSPOT (Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic - 500000 BC to 40001 BC)

Description

Dimensions - Length 0165 mm
DEMAND FOR GRAVEL DURING M4 CONSTRUCTION IN 1958-60 LED TO OPENING OF THIS PIT. ALTHOUGH DUG BY MACHINE, FINE SECTIONS EXPOSED, SIMILAR TO STATION PIT. PALAEOLITHS LOOKED FOR BUT FEW FOUND, THOUGH ROLLED, POINTED HAND AXE FOUND BY J F WYLEY (B1-2).
LOCATION OF PIT CONFIRMED, CENTRED AT NGR (B3).
Large pit opened in 1960 to supply road metal. One hand-axe found by Mr J F Wyley. Deposit is Lynch Hill Gravel. In 1995-6 the pit had been levelled and the site was recorded as open ground (B4-5).




A Palaeolithic hand-axe and a flake were found at Hill's and Higg's gravel pit at SU 920820. This pit was opened in 1958-60 for material for the M4 motorway.
The axe is in the J F Wyley Collection (B1).

Area of Hills and Higg's gravel pit indicated on OS 6" at SU 919818. No further information (B6).
NRHE Insert 1998 (B7).

Sources (7)

  • <1>SBC17052 Bibliographic reference: John Wymer. 1968. LOWER PALAEOLITHIC ARCHAEOLOGY IN BRITAIN P228.
  • <2>SBC11202 Bibliographic reference: OS RECORD CARD SU 98 SW 90, JULY 1974.
  • <3>SBC873 Bibliographic reference: BCC MINERALS SECTION, APPLICATION NO. ER/828/59.
  • <4>SBC23341 Unpublished document: Wessex Archaeology. 1996. The English Rivers Palaeolithic Project: Regions 7 (Thames) and 10 (Warwickshire Avon). Site MTV-2 No.38 p69.
  • <5>SBC23342 Unpublished document: Wessex Archaeology. 1996. The English Rivers Palaeolithic Survey: Regions 7 and 10: North of the Thames and Warwickshire Avon. MTV-2 No.38.
  • <6>SBC28345 Verbal communication: N K Blood. 1974. Field Investigators Comments - F1 NKB 11-JUL-74.
  • <7>SBC27441 Digital archive: Historic England. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE).

Location

Grid reference SU 91800 82000 (point)
Civil Parish TAPLOW, South Bucks, Buckinghamshire

Finds (2)

  • HANDAXE (Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic - 500000 BC to 40001 BC)
  • FLAKE (Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic - 500000 BC to 40001 BC)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (2)

  • Event - Intervention: (EBC12856)
  • Event - Survey: The English Rivers Palaeolithic Project (EBC18748)

Record last edited

Nov 13 2025 4:01PM

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