On the Occurrence of Palæolithic Flint Implements in the Neighbourhood of Ightham, Kent, their Distribution and probable Age

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Abstract
It has hitherto, with a few disputed exceptions, been generally held that, in this country, palæolithic stone implements are confined to “river-drifts” and caves of the so-called Postglacial age, in which they occur buried at greater or less depths; and little search was made outside the drift-deposits, or the valleys to which such deposits are confined. It is true that a few specimens had been found at various heights on the hills, but they failed to attract much attention or to suggest any different explanation. In 1861 Dr. John Evans found a large pointed implement on the surface of a ploughed field in the parish of Abbots Langley, and at a height of 160 feet above the Colne. Another smaller specimen was found in 1861 by Mr. W. Whitaker on the surface of the Chalk, one mile east of Horton Kirby, and about 200 feet above the Darent. In 1869, in searching over a field near the edge of the Chalk-escarpment at Currie Farm, Halstead, Kent, in company with General Pitt-Rivers, Sir J. Lubbock, and myself, Dr. Evans picked up a rude ovoid specimen; but we did not succeed in finding any more. This spot is nearly 600 (not 500) feet above O.D. From time to time a few similar instances have been recorded; but they were either passed by as chance specimens, possibly dropped and lost, or were in some way supposed to be connected with the ordinary river-valley drifts. But the remarkable discoveries of palæolithic flint implements made

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