SiteRecordings

(See report for references to figures)
A relatively large number of MSA tools were counted in Site A. The northern portion of the proposed site including the drainage channel has been excluded from the development proposal as is not suitable for the cultivation of grapes (Figure 17). Most of the tools recorded are spread very thinly and unevenly over the surrounding landscape, although several low-density scatters of tools (e.g. Sites 5381, 5391, 5421 & 5441), comprising irregular and prepared (Levallois) cores, chunks and flakes, were documented. A large, Fauresmith retouched blade was found on Site 5381, while a small ESA biface was recorded on Site 5441. Two grindstones/grindstone fragments (Sites 5431 & 5451) were also found. The majority of archaeological resources were recorded on patches of ironstone gravels, while a few isolated tools were found on soft sands alongside the floodplain of the drainage channel. Flake debris, including cores, chunks and unmodified flakes were also noted among numerous piles of gravels where the soils have been scraped away. The area around the top end of the drainage channel is especially degraded with several large piles of gravel occurring in this area. Extensive erosion occurs in this area. More than 95% of the tools counted in Site A are in banded ironstone, with the remainder in fine-grained quartzite and weathered indurated shale. A collection of tools and the context in which they were found is illustrated in Figures 18- 27.