Oughtonhead Lane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Site of Special Scientific Interest |
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| Area of Search | Hertfordshire |
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| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 0.9 hectares |
| Notification | 1989 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Oughtonhead Lane is a very special place in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. It's officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its unique natural features.
This particular SSSI is important for its geology, which is the study of Earth's rocks and history. It helps scientists understand what our planet was like a very long time ago.
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What Makes Oughtonhead Lane Special?
Oughtonhead Lane covers a small area, about 0.9 hectares. That's roughly the size of two football fields! It's located near Hitchin in Hertfordshire, England.
This site is recognized as being nationally important. This is because it helps experts understand the Earth's past climate and environment.
A Glimpse into the Past
The rocks and soil at Oughtonhead Lane tell a story from a very long time ago. Scientists believe this site dates back to the Hoxnian interglacial period. This was a warm time between two ice ages, about 420,000 to 300,000 years ago.
During this period, Oughtonhead Lane was a marshy area. It was fed by natural springs.
Discovering Ancient Life
One of the most interesting features here is a type of rock called tufa. Tufa forms when minerals from spring water build up over time.
Inside this tufa, scientists have found amazing things. They've discovered fossils of land snails and even bones from ancient mammals. These fossils are like clues! They help scientists figure out what the climate was like back then. They also show what kind of environment existed in this area hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Visiting Oughtonhead Lane
Oughtonhead Lane is a public path, so you can walk along it. However, the important geological features are not easily seen. They are hidden underground.
To study the geology, scientists would need to dig a shallow trench. This would expose the layers of rock and tufa that hold all the ancient secrets.
