Middle Palaeolithic occupation of the southern North Sea Basin: evidence from the Sandscaping sediments emplaced on the beach between Bacton and Walcott, Norfolk, UK

During the summer of 2019, Bacton to Walcott Coastal Management Scheme involved emplacement on foreshore 1.8 million cubic metres sand and gravel dredged from submerged sediments Palaeo-Yare in southern North Sea 11 km off Great Yarmouth. following 2-year period, an active group collectors identified Palaeolithic artefacts eroding these sediments, including Levallois cores flakes, cordiform handaxes. In this paper, we present analysis lithic artefacts, consider relationships between different elements assemblage. We discuss its significance context Middle record northwest Europe light it shines human occupation landscape during later Pleistocene. Interrogation beach survey data shows reworking southeast towards Happisburgh where archaeologically significant exposures Cromer Forest-bed Formation are located. The implications introduction a assemblage stretch Norfolk Coast considered, highlighting importance continuing dialogue researchers, local authorities communities for capturing information monitoring critical resource.