106 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
claim them as such. From observations over a number of years, it appears
that levels 2-9 occur in other parts of the pit and also in Bluelands Pit,
although the thickness and detail of the deposits varies. In most cases the
shells contained in those exposures were crushed or badly decalcified
consistent with the condition of those found in those levels in the main
section.
The Molluscan Fauna
Twenty-seven species were identified and are shown in Table 1. Small
samples of all levels were supplied to Mr C. P. Castell, but the species
identified all came from the samples from levels 11 and 13. The shells
occurring at other levels were not identifiable due to crushing or decalcifi-
cation. As might be expected, the small gastropods have survived best,
Belgrandia marginata being present in great abundance. No attempt was
made to count this species in the samples provided. Unio tumidus repre-
sented the largest bulk of shell, especially in level 11, but due to its size,
tended to break up easily when removed. Most of the shells observed in
situ in levels 9 and 11 were complete and unrolled. In many instances both
valves of the bivalves were still connected, indicating the deposit had not
been disturbed to any significant extent subsequent to its deposition.
Mr Castell in his report dated 20th October 1966 evaluating the samples
stated, 'The Molluscan fauna is fluviatile and of Pleistocene age. The
presence of Corbicula fluminalis and Pisidium clessini indicate an age not
later than the Crayford stage of the Last Interglacial (Ipswichian). Valvata
antiqua is not known to occur after the Great Interglacial (Hoxnian) in
this country and there is nothing in the assemblage to suggest a later stage
for these deposits.'
Other Faunal Remains
During investigations of the section, a large number of bone fragments
were found in level 11. Unfortunately the majority were so fragmentary as
to be unidentifiable. However, from the remains, the presence of Elephas
antiquus and Bison were detected from a tooth and vertebra respectively.
These species are not very useful for dating purposes, but they would not
be out of place in a Hoxnian Interglacial deposit. Numbers of small rodent
bones and teeth were also found in level 11 and I understand that Mr T.
Allen has also found remains in these deposits and will be publishing his
findings in due course.
Conclusions
The stratigraphy of the terrace in the Lower Thames Valley is extremely
complex. There appears to be evidence for at least three phases of the
Hoxnian Interglacial in the area, the terrace exposed in the Globe Pit,
Little Thurrock, containing a Clactonian flint industry being a good
example (Wymer 1957, Snelling 1964). It is therefore not surprising to find
that a terrace resting at a bench level lower than either Swanscombe or the
Globe Pit exposure should contain evidence suggesting it is of similar age.
This does not rule out the possibility that the upper levels of the Sequence
exposed in Greenlands Pit are of an age later than the Hoxnian Inter-