NEOLITHIC SITES IN UPPER VALLEY OF ESSEX CAM. 55
the terraces; failing other evidence, it appears not unlikely
that these structures may also be of Neolithic origin.
In the excavation of the Saxon cemetery in the grounds of
Hill House, Saffron Walden (4), several pits associated with
calcined flint and flakes were found below the level of the graves
and it has been suggested that these may be of Naolithic age.
The discovery of a Beaker burial at Berden (5), near the
border of the area, is finally a link between the Neolithic and
the Bronze period in this part of the country.
A Neolithic skull was found at Wenden, 16ft. from the sur-
face, in a bed of peat, when making a culvert for the Audley End
to Bartlow Railway in 1864. Dr. Keith describes it as that
of a woman and "a good specimen of what Huxley named the
River-bed type." He also mentions that "the specimen evi-
dently belongs to the same race as the woman found at Walton-
on-Naze, by Mr. Hazzledine Warren." This skull is in the
Saffron Walden Museum (15).
Isolated examples of polished celts have been found at
Saffron Walden and Henham and a perforated basalt axe at
Great Chesterford. These specimens also are in the Saffron
Walden Museum.
In the same museum are six specimens of arrow-heads of
local origin, but with two exceptions the specimens are doubtful,
and in the writer's opinion are quite probably merely triangular
or leaf-shaped flakes with an accidental resemblance to arrow-
heads. There are two definite tanged and barbed specimens,
one without definite locality, the other from Newport. It should
be noted, however, that the appearance and patina of this last
specimen are entirely different from that of any of the hundreds
of specimens of worked flint that the writer has obtained from
this locality.
Generally speaking, flakes, implements and calcined flints
are found scattered more or less abundantly over the Chalk
outcrop of the valley slopes and the edge of the Boulder Clay.
They are more abundant in the hollows than on the ridges, but
this may be attributed to the natural downward movement of
the soil, produced by the action of the weather and agricultural
operations rather than by distribution by Neolithic man. In
certain spots these artifacts occur in such quantities that the
area may be considered as a site, either of habitation or manu-