Bramerton Pits facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Norfolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 0.7 hectares (1.7 acres) |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Bramerton Pits is a special nature area in Norfolk, England. It's called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its amazing geology. This means it's a protected place due to its important natural features.
It's also a Geological Conservation Review site. This means it's super important for studying Earth's history. The site is about 0.7 hectares (1.7 acres) big. It is located north of Bramerton village, right by the River Yare.
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What Makes Bramerton Pits Special?
Bramerton Pits is made up of two old gravel pits. These pits are very important for studying a time period called the Lower Pleistocene. This was a long time ago, about 2.5 million to 770,000 years ago.
The Two Important Pits
The two pits at Bramerton are:
- Bramerton Common Pit: This pit is the "type site" for the Norwich Crag Formation. A type site is like the main example or reference point for a specific rock layer.
- Blakes Pit: This pit is the "type site" for the Bramertonian Stage. A stage is a division of geological time. So, this pit helps scientists understand a specific period within the Lower Pleistocene.
Both pits have given us many amazing fossils. Most of these fossils are from animals that lived in the sea.
Discovering Ancient Life and Climates
The ground at Bramerton Pits has different layers. These layers include sand, silt, and gravel. Scientists have found many fossils in these layers.
Types of Fossils Found
The fossils include:
- Molluscs: These are creatures like snails and clams, both from the sea and from land.
- Foraminifera: These are tiny, single-celled organisms, usually found in the ocean.
- Vertebrates: These are animals with backbones, like fish.
Clues to Past Climates
Studies of fossils from Blakes Pit have shown how the climate changed. They show a shift from warmer times (called the Bramertonian) to much colder times (called the Pre-Pastonian).
Bramerton Common Pit has also given us many fossils of vertebrates. These include marine fish and extinct animals. One exciting find is an extinct type of gomphothere. This was a large animal, similar to an elephant or mastodon. Fossils of ancient otters and voles have also been found.
Both of these sites are very important for understanding Britain's early Pleistocene period. They help us learn about ancient environments and how animal life changed over time.
Visiting Bramerton Pits
Bramerton Common Pit is next to Bramerton Common, near Woods End. Blakes Pit is a bit further east, at the end of Hill House Road. You can visit these sites and explore their natural history.
