Grid reference TQ 598781 Location map Magic Map Area of search Essex Management Essex Wildlife Trust | Interest Geological Area 2 ha Notification 1986 | |
 | ||
Lion Pit is a 2.5 hectare geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Grays in Essex. It is a Geological Conservation Review site, and part of the Chafford Gorges Nature Park, which is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust.
The site is part of a nineteenth-century tramway cutting to carry chalk to riverside wharves. Evidence has been found of flint-knapping using the Levallois technique by Neanderthals 200,000 years ago, and it has even been possible to fit back together some of the flint flakes. Fossils have been found of mammals including, rhinoceros, bison, mammoth and straight-tusked elephant.
A public footpath goes through the site from Weymouth Drive to London Road.
References
Lion Pit Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA