This extended grab sampling survey was undertaken to add to results already obtained in the grab sampling survey conducted in 2003-2004 in order to understand the relationship between struck flint and palaeogeographic features identified during the Round One project.

The fieldwork took place during May and June 2005. 400 ten litre benthic grab samples were collected from a survey area consisting of four 1km² blocks. 100 samples were taken at regular intervals of 100m. The samples were collected using a Hamon grab.

Proposed grab sampling locations illustrated on bathymetric dataThe samples were sieved on board through a 1mm mesh sieve and then transferred to a sample container. The samples were then transferred to the environmental department at Wessex Archaeology where they were wet sieved through 10mm, 4mm and 1mm sieves. The residues were scanned for archaeological material.

Results

668 flints were recovered. The assemblage is dominated by small chips and flakes with no definitely recognisable tool types. The flints were enigmatic due to the ambiguous nature of their means of production. In no instance was it absolutely certain that any piece was of human or anthropogenic manufacture.

Many of the samples contained large amounts of peat. In one sample a lump of mature oak charcoal was recovered. It is likely that this material is the product of deliberate burning or from fuel within a hearth. The peat itself contained large amounts of Phragmites sp. (common reed) stems. The deposit and the charcoal are currently being radiocarbon dated.

Other environmental remains were encountered including bone (amphibian, bird) molluscs (terrestrial, freshwater and marine taxa) moss, twigs all pointing towards wetland and terrestrial environments in the area.

Modern finds including slag and clinker were common within the samples. These are most likely the result of modern and industrial shipping activities.

Processing the grab samples

Conclusions

The finds from the grab sampling have provided possible evidence of human occupation of the palaeo-Arun area. The charcoal recovered from a lump of peat is unlikely to have been produced by natural causes. Flints recovered from both this survey and the earlier Round One grab sampling surveys are also arguably of anthropogenic origin, although in many cases it is difficult to distinguish from flint produced by mechanical or natural processes.

These results will enable industry to adopt systematic archaeological procedures for the treatment of benthic grab samples obtained during the environmental impact assessment stage of marine aggregate licence applications.