NHER 41843 (Find Spot record) - Undated human remains

June 2005. Garden of Ratty’s Retreat (formerly New Cottage) Herringfleet Road. Found by tree feller lying on surface under bracken at base of 10m cliff, part of Herringfleet Hills.
Human skull lacking facial bones and mandible, sutures not fully closed; one side very bleached, the other green; very thin and abraded.
The cliff is stated to have been terraced with 203 tonnes (200 tons) of clay and topsoil in 2003, but it is very unlikely that the skull was brought in with this material. Its findspot is beside large fallen trees rotted to powder and thus in that position for many years; the differential weathering on the skull also suggests many years in the position in which it was found. The birch trees on the base of the slope removed in 2005 were said by the woodmen to be 20 years old but there are large redwoods adjacent of much greater age. The cliff forms a funnel shaped opening which contains the track Sandy Lane to the north, suggesting an ancient route to the river. Vicinity of findspot examined and no pre 20th century finds made; soil is all deep white sand. The house was constructed in 1960 and the land belonged to Lord Somerleyton until 1920. It is possible that a falling tree pulled the skull out of the cliff many years ago.
Findspot is close to Suffolk border but no finds noted from this area in Suffolk SMR.
Skull to be reburied at top of cliff.
(S1) in file.
E. Rose (NLA), 28 June 2005.