Double Arches Pit facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Bedfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 1.6 hectares |
| Notification | 1988 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Double Arches Pit, once called New Trees Pit, was a place where people dug up sand. It's located near the village of Heath and Reach in Bedfordshire, England. Today, it's a very special protected area. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Geological Conservation Review site because of its important rocks and history.
Contents
Discovering the Past at Double Arches Pit
Roman Settlement Findings
Long ago, archaeologists found signs of a large Roman village here. They discovered many pieces of old pottery and even a Roman well. This shows that people lived and worked in this area thousands of years ago.
How the Sand Pit Started
The Double Arches Pit began operating in 1916. A company called J. Arnold & Sons Limited opened it to dig for sand. In 1927, someone visited the site to check its value. They wrote down notes about the pit.
The notes said the pit started during a war. There was lots of sand, but it was running out on one side. About 15 men worked there. They used trucks pulled by engines and horses to move the sand to the road. There was even a special small railway line to help transport the sand. The sand from this pit was known to be "excellent."
Transporting Sand by Rail
The pit was once the furthest point on the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway. This special railway was built to carry sand from many quarries in the area. It helped move large amounts of sand quickly. The Double Arches Pit stopped operating in 1985.
Why Double Arches Pit is a Special Site
Protecting Important Geology
In 1988, Double Arches Pit became a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its unique natural features. It's considered the best place in the Leighton Buzzard area to see certain types of rock. These rocks are called Lower Greensand and Gault.
Studying Earth's History
These rocks help geologists learn about fossils and how the environment changed long ago. They are especially useful for studying a time period known for certain types of ammonites. Ammonites were ancient sea creatures with spiral shells. The site also has special features like "channelling in the junction beds" and a clear "Cirripede bed." These are important for understanding how the rocks formed.
In 2008, experts checked the site and found it to be in "Favourable" condition. This means it's well-preserved and its special features are protected.
Visiting Double Arches Pit
You cannot go directly onto the site of Double Arches Pit. However, you can see it from the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway's Stonehenge Works. This is located on Mile Tree Road.
