135
XI.
Notes on the Geological Position of the Human Skeleton
lately found at the tilbury docks, essex.1
By T. V. Holmes, F.G.S., M.A.I.
[Read February 23rd, 1884.]
[Owing to the publication of Sir Richard Owen's book,—
'Antiquity of Man as deduced from the Discovery of a Human
Skeleton during the Excavations of the East and West India
Dock-Extension at Tilbury, North Bank of the Thames.' By
Sir Richard Owen, K.C.B., E.E.S., &c. London (Van Voorst),
[August], 1884,—it is deemed fitting to print this paper
somewhat in advance of its order of date.—Ed.]
Most members of the Essex Field Club must have been
interested in learning that a human skeleton has lately been
found in the Tilbury Dock excavations, and placed in the
hands of Sir Richard Owen. On the publication by the Royal
Society of Sir Richard Owen's paper [now printed as men-
tioned above.—Ed.] , we shall be in full possession of the
anatomical details of this skeleton, which the brief newspaper
reports now available show to be a remarkable one. I need
hardly say that my own remarks will bear upon the geological
interest of the strata in which the Tilbury man was found,
and their evidence as to his age, not upon his anatomical
peculiarities.
Tilbury Docks are being excavated in the most recent
alluvium of the Thames Valley. But as this statement may
not in itself suffice to give a clear view of the geological
position of the Tilbury skeleton to the non-geologist, a brief
1 Some additional details obtained since this paper was read are
incorporated. The conclusions, however, are unaltered. See the note
at the end for the latest remarks.