A man walking his dog in the United Kingdom unintentionally assisted archaeologists and geologists in making surprising discoveries at a local beach, according to officials from the Northumberland Coast National Landscape. The man was taking a stroll at Foxton Bay in Northumberland, located in North East England, when he noticed unusual pits near the shore. Initially, officials thought these pits might be graves dating back to the Bronze Age or the medieval era. However, after an excavation, experts concluded that these pits were likely bait or fish tanks from the post-medieval or modern periods. These tanks were characterized by side and base slabs made of shale and a thick clay lining, measuring around 1m x 0.5m in an oval shape without top slabs.
The discovery came as a complete surprise to experts, with one of the pits first being noticed back in 2013. According to Helen Wilson-Beevers, a communications officer at Northumberland Coast National Landscape, the current hypothesis suggests that these structures date back to somewhere between the 17th and 20th centuries. Local historian Adrian Osler was able to provide insights into historical fishing activity in the area, pointing to evidence of a local fishery in the 19th century that supports the bait tank theory. Osler suggested that these structures could have been used for bait storage, live catch storage, or preserving fishing lines and nets.
The tanks were carved into beachrock, a formation of seashells and laminated shells that is rare to find. Geologist Ian Kille described the discovery of beachrock as surprising, noting that it is more commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical environments. The presence of beachrock implies that it was formed when sea levels were higher than they are today, indicating fluctuations in mean sea levels in post-glacial times. While officials are unsure if the beachrock is natural or artificial, it has provided valuable insights into coastal erosion over the years.
The discovery of these ancient fishing bait tanks offers a glimpse into the historical activities that took place along the coast of Northumberland. By studying these structures, researchers can piece together the ways in which past communities interacted with their marine environments. The unexpected find serves as a reminder of the rich history that lies beneath the surface of everyday landscapes, waiting to be unearthed by curious explorers and diligent researchers alike.