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Low Hauxley Archive:How was the Archaeology Discovered?
Most of the Northumberland coastline consists of undulating sand dunes, which are vulnerable to erosion, particularly
in harsh weather conditions. In 1983 a walker on the beach noticed a stone box, or cist, peeping out of the sand
dunes. Local archaeologist Steve Speak visited the site and conducted a rescue excavation, which was followed by a
larger excavation by Edinburgh University.
Ten years later, other walkers in the same area noticed a similar cist recently exposed in October storms. This was
reported to Northumberland County Council's archaeologists who moved rapidly to employ local archaeologists to record
the remains before the high tide and gales swept the site away. In the process of uncovering the exposed cist, a
second cist was found.
When the burials were excavated, evidence was uncovered of an even earlier occupation of the site. English Heritage
funded additional excavation of the site to see if further prehistoric remains might be exposed in future storms.
This excavation also revealed evidence of early prehistoric use of the site.
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