Page:VCH Berkshire 1.djvu/229

 EARLY MAN Implements of a mixed type were found in a gravel-pit, now built upon, on the Redlands estate at Reading. They were not abundant, and were usually abraded. Although only about 40 feet above the river-level, a fine specimen 1 of the pointed type, very ochreous but in good condition, was found. Only a few flakes were noticed. This must be regarded as a drift-accumulation. In the same neighbourhood, at Southern Hill, at the higher level of more than 100 feet above the river Thames, an implement of good form with cutting edge all round was obtained. On the east side of the town of Reading, in a gravel-pit at Sonning Hill, about 80 feet above the river-level, implements have been found from time to time. They are usually much abraded, but good forms have been found, and the predominant type appears to be the ovate- lanceolate. Very few flakes occur. From the spoil-bank formed of the material taken from the cutting at this spot when the Great Western Railway was constructed, was obtained a fine and large ovoid imple- ment, now in the Reading Museum. At Charvil Hill, near Twyford, still further east, implements have been found by Mr. L. Treacher, who obtained others during the widening of the Great Western Railway near this spot. That gentleman has also found many implements at Ruscombe near Twyford in a thin spread of gravel overlying brick-earth at about 60 feet above the river-level. These implements are various in character, but pointed tools are well represented. A large implement of elongated form and rounded at the smaller end has been presented by Mr. Treacher to the Reading Museum, which possesses numerous examples of the flint implements discovered in this county. Many implements have been found in the Maidenhead district in the sheets or terraces of gravel which extend from that town to Cookham. At the higher levels the implements are usually rolled and abraded. Some are quite rude in shape ; others have a very sharp cutting edge. At the lower level of about 75 feet above the river, near the hamlet of Furze Platt, implements were very abundant, with much individualization of type. Most of the tools are little stained or water-worn ; and, although the chipping is frequently done with skill, there is evidence of remarkable thrift in the use of material, and also, one might say, an absence of natural pride in the appearance of the work ; the original shape of the rough nodules having been very much utilized, so that sometimes only half of the nodule has been worked. The types here include a peculiar form of hatchet in which the cutting end is neither pointed nor round, but chisel-shaped to some extent an anticipation of neolithic form. The implements were mostly found near the base of the gravel, and flakes were abundant. There was doubtless a settlement at or near this spot.* It will thus be seen that the population of Berkshire in the Palaso- 1 Now in the Reading Museum. 2 Implements of a mixed type, usually water-worn, have also been found at Cookham at a somewhat higher level. A very fine specimen from this locality is in the Reading Museum. 175