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As the archaeologists on the paper we provided context & dating of the #LaCotte fossils. Here's a quick thread on our work with @loveheritage and @Soc_Jersiaise to readdress this sleeping giant of a site.
1. An early visit in 2009 meeting with John Renouf and @jsyarchaeology
1. An early visit in 2009 meeting with John Renouf and @jsyarchaeology
2. Earliest work in 2010 suggested there was lot of intact sediment, with artefacts, still in the West Ravine of #LaCotte, but how old was it? It appeared to be being removed by the sea. Dr Martin Bates @UWTSD has led on the deposit modelling and dating from the start.
3. In 2011 we were funded by @NERCscience to surgically excavate and date these sediments. This was a transformative moment. Showed us sediment spanned MIS5-3 and that the fossil teeth discovered in 1910-1911 were less than 48k years old. We were also able to document erosion.
4. Our results helped with detailed discussions on how best to protect these sediments. Working with @loveheritage and @Soc_Jersiaise we shared our data, including laser scan by @CEGE_UCL & SFM photography by @DrDufftown to help with engineering design.
So we stepped away from the site for a little while we were able to consider the teeth themselves. Here is @ChrisStringer65 reunited with the teeth in 2014, with Neil Mahrer, Dr Marie-Anne Julian our faunal specialist & Dr Andy Shaw Palaeolithic specialist now at @wessexarch
6. But not for long, autumn 2014 saw the eventual engineering solution start to take shape. So form our side the project came under more formal management by @ArchSouthEast, and is is PM @jonsygrave with @jsyarchaeology and Jon Carter @loveheritage planning with Dr John Renouf
7. Then in the Autumn of 2014 we began to work on the engineering project funded by @loveheritage and managed by @ArchSouthEast excavating to clear space for a protective sea wall. With Co-Lead Dr Beccy Scott, Dr Anne-Lyse Ravon, @DrDufftown and Dr @EdBlinkhorn
8. Over the next few years, expertise and investment were brought in to design & implement a transformation of the site, making it safe for working and to build the wall itself. A massive technical challenges, designed by Geodesign & implemented by Geomarine.
9. The landmark 2019 season of excavations, initiated the task to stabilise the sediments and reveal further evidence of this exciting and intriguing Neanderthal population. @MarcStirrup @LettyIngrey @EdBlinkhorn Martin Bates
10. So today's publication by Compton, @ChrisStringer65 et al marks the beginning of a new phase of research on these 'Neanderthal' people, through excavation & scientific study of the archives.
Learn more about the project & why funding it is important: https://www.jerseyheritage.org/cause/la-cotte-de-st-brelade#cotte
Learn more about the project & why funding it is important: https://www.jerseyheritage.org/cause/la-cotte-de-st-brelade#cotte
Fin
