Sturry Pit facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
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| Area of Search | Kent |
|---|---|
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 0.7 hectares (1.7 acres) |
| Notification | 1991 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Sturry Pit is a special natural area in Kent, England. It is located north-east of Canterbury. This site is quite small, about the size of one football field. It is protected because it helps us learn about Earth's history.
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What is Sturry Pit?
Sturry Pit is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a place with very important plants, animals, or geology. The government protects these sites. Sturry Pit is special for its geology, which is the study of rocks and how Earth has changed.
Why is it Protected?
Sturry Pit is also a Geological Conservation Review site. This means scientists have looked at it closely. They found it has unique features that are important for understanding Earth's past. Protecting it helps future scientists study our planet.
A Look into the Past: Ancient Tools
Sturry Pit used to be a place where people dug up gravel. This digging helped scientists find amazing things! They found many ancient stone tools called hand axes. These tools were made by early humans.
Tools from the Stone Age
The hand axes found at Sturry Pit are from a time called the Middle Paleolithic period. This was part of the Stone Age, a very long time ago. The tools are of a style called Acheulian. Finding these tools helps us learn about how early humans lived and what tools they used.
Rivers of Time: Understanding Ancient Landscapes
Sturry Pit is important for understanding ancient rivers. The hand axes were found in what scientists call the "third terrace" of the River Stour. River terraces are like old steps or levels left behind by a river as it cuts deeper into the land over thousands of years.
The Ice Age Connection
Studying Sturry Pit helps scientists understand the timeline of river terraces in the Thames basin. This is especially true for the Pleistocene epoch. The Pleistocene was a time when much of the Earth was covered in ice, also known as the Ice Age. By studying these old river levels, scientists can figure out how rivers changed during the Ice Age. This helps us understand Earth's climate history.
Visiting Sturry Pit
You can visit Sturry Pit. There is access to the site from Sturry Hill. It's a great place to imagine what the area was like long ago.
