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at the time with an average ambient temperature
of well below freezing. At the very top there
is a layer of find wind—blown silt (brickearth)
which was deposited around 10,000 years ago.
The beds overlying the Crag have, in the past,
yielded bones of mammoth, elephant and hippo
together with deer antlers. Flints supposedly
fashioned by early man have also been found.
It is hoped that collecting will still be
possible at this site for many years to come
despite pressure on the authorities to extend
coastal defences further north along the Naze.
The current rate of erosion is very rapid and
as a testimony to this, a concrete block house
built some distance from the cliff edge during
World War II can now be seen lying on the
beach.
Walton is always a favourits site for
collectors but this is probably as much due to
the mild weather, the pleasant beach and the
ice cream parlour than it is to the fossils!
GERALD LUCY
Secretary of the Essex Rock and Mineral Society
(Since this article was written the Waltonian
Red Crag has been re-classified by geologists
and now appears under the Pliocene period.)
If you have found this article interesting why
not come along to Mr. Graham Ward's talk on the
Geology of Essex on 30th March, 1990. Tele-
phone David Turner for details on 0245 267450.