Upper Common Pits
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TQ083499 | — | Favourable | 2.99 | 2024-03-07 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Neogene, Quaternary
Description
Area, 2.82 ha. 6.97 ac. Description These pits are excavated in the celebrated Netley Heath Beds, originally thought to be Pliocene, but now regarded as of early Pleistocene, possibly Calabrian age. Near the base of these sandy deposits numerous marine fossils occur. These are of considerable importance since they have Red Crag affinities. They have been variously reported as occurring in an iron pan formed in situ, or within detrital blocks of foreign material. It has even been suggested that they may be glacially emplaced. The very considerable difference in elevation between these beds and the Red Crag of East Anglia is an important consideration in the reconstruction of early Pleistocene events and suggests differential warping. A fuller understanding of the Netley Heath deposits is clearly vital and these pits provide the greatest potential for future investigations.