Cromer Forest Bed

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Cromer Forest-bed Formation
Stratigraphic range: Early Pleistocene - Middle Pleistocene 2–0.5  Ma
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West Runton Beach 13 January 2007 (1).JPG
Cromer Forest-bed Formation exposed at the base of the West Runton Cliffs
Type Geological formation
Unit of Dunwich Group
Sub-unitsSheringham Member, Runton Member, West Runton Member, and Bacton Member
UnderliesMiddle Pleistocene glacial deposits
OverliesWroxham Crag Formation or unconformity with Chalk Group
Thicknessaround 6 metres (20 ft)
Lithology
Primary sands and silts
Other peat, mud, silty marl
Location
Coordinates 52°56′28″N1°15′11″E / 52.941°N 1.253°E / 52.941; 1.253
Region Norfolk
CountryEngland
Type section
Named for Cromer
Named by Clement Reid
LocationThe coast of North Norfolk from Weybourne to Happisburgh
Year defined1882
CountryEngland

The Cromer Forest-bed Formation, sometimes known as the Cromer Forest Bed, is a geological formation in Norfolk, England. It consists of river gravels, estuary and floodplain sediments predominantly silt, sand, and muds as well as peat along the coast of northern Norfolk. [1] The formation records a number of glacial cycles, with deposition occurring in both relatively cold environments during glacial periods, [2] as well during interglacial periods when the area had a temperate climate. [3] The Cromer Forest Bed itself varies in age from about 2 to 0.5 million years ago, from the Early Pleistocene to early Middle Pleistocene, [4] though the most fossiliferous strata, such as the West Runton Freshwater Bed date to towards the end of deposition during the early Middle Pleistocene. The fossiliferous West Runton Freshwater Bed is the type locality for the Cromerian Stage of the early Middle Pleistocene between 0.8 and 0.5 million years ago. [5] Some fossils from the Cromer Forest Bed likely come from Early Pleistocene layers, though many finds are found out of stratigraphic context. [6]

Contents

It is about 6 metres (20 ft) thick [1] and is exposed in cliff section near the village of West Runton.

Paleontology and paleoanthropology

For over a century this formation, named after the local town of Cromer, has been famous for its assemblage of fossil mammal remains, containing the diverse remains of numerous taxa. [7] [8] [5] [9]

The West Runton Mammoth, a largely complete skeleton of the steppe mammoth (Mammuthus trogontherii) is one of the most best preserved finds found in the West Runton Freshwater Bed. [10] The oldest human footprints outside Africa, the Happisburgh footprints as well as handaxes and bison bones with cut marks were also found in layers considered to belong to this deposit near Happisburgh, dated to around 1 million to 780,000 years ago. [4]

Mammals

Carnivorans

SpeciesLocalityNotesImage
Panthera gombaszogensis [5] West Runon Freshwater BedOften called the European jaguar and posited to the ancestor of the living American jaguar (Panthera onca)
Panthera fossilis [5] [11] West Runon Freshwater Bed, PakefieldA close relative of the modern lion, and one of the largest cats to have ever lived. Ancestor of the Late Pleistocene cave lion (Panthera spelaea). Older publications have assigned this material to the modern lion (Panthera leo).
W. Gornig - P. spelaea fossilis.png
Felis cf. lunensis [12] [5] West Runon Freshwater BedA primitive member of the genus Felis , which includes the domestic cat and its close relatives
Ursus sp. [9] West Runon Freshwater BedPossibly represents brown bears (Ursus arctos) or members of the cave bear lineage
Ursus deningeri [13] Bacton, PakefieldAncestor of the later cave bear (Ursus spelaea)
Canis mosbachensis [5] West Runon Freshwater BedA more primitive and smaller ancestor of the modern grey wolf (Canis lupus)
Canis mosbachensis Wikipedia Juandertal.jpg
Lynx sp. [5] West Runon Freshwater BedA lynx
Crocuta crocuta [5] Closely related to living African spotted hyenas, have also been attributed to cave hyenas in older works. [14]
Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta).jpg
Homotherium latidens [5] A lion-sized saber-toothed cat
Homotherium life reconstruction.png
Pachycrocuta brevirostris [5] Bacton, OverstrandA giant hyena, the largest ever
Pachycrocuta NT.jpg
Lutra simplicidens [12] West Runon Freshwater BedAn extinct otter
Pannonictis pliocaenica [12] An extinct mustelid belonging to the subfamily Ictonychinae
Martes martes [12] Commonly known as the pine marten, species extant
Pine Marten (48173751702).jpg
Mustela nivalis [12] Commonly known as the least weasel, species extant
Mustela nivalis -British Wildlife Centre-4.jpg
Mustela erminea [12] Commonly known as the stoat, species extant
Royskatt (Mustela erminea erminea), Lista, Norway.jpg

Ungulates

SpeciesLocalityNotesImage
Cervus elaphus [8] Commonly known as red deer, species extant
Cervus elaphus Luc Viatour 3.jpg
Praemegaceros verticornis [8] A giant deer belonging to the genus Praemegaceros . Sometimes referred to in historical publications as Megaloceros verticornis
A P. verticornis skeleton from Germany Megaloceros verticornis.jpg
A P. verticornis skeleton from Germany
Praemegaceros dawkinsi [8] A moderately sized deer.
Megaloceros savini [8] A reindeer sized species
A M. savini-type antler (top right), compared tp that of an Irish elk (M. giganteus) Megaloceros antler.png
A M. savini-type antler (top right), compared tp that of an Irish elk (M. giganteus)
Dama sp. [8] An early indeterminate fallow deer
Capreolus capreolus [8] Commonly known as roe deer, species extant
Capreolus capreolus Wien Zentralfriedhof 20221021 05.jpg
Cervus rhenanus [8] A smaller deer with three-pointed antlers
Eucladoceros ctenoides/tegulensis [8] A giant deer
Antlers of Eucladoceros ctenoides/tegulensis on display in the Netherlands Eucladoceros tegulensis Teylers.JPG
Antlers of Eucladoceros ctenoides/tegulensis on display in the Netherlands
Eucladoceros tetraceros [8]
Eucladoceros sedgwickii [8]
Cervalces latifrons [8] A larger ancestor of the modern moose (Alces alces), one of the largest deer ever
Cervalces latifrons antlers on display in Germany Cervalces latifrons Tubingen.JPG
Cervalces latifrons antlers on display in Germany
Hippopotamus antiquus [9] A larger relative of the modern hippopotamus (Hippotamus amphibius)
Specimen on display in Italy Museo di paleologia, scheletro di hippopotamus antiquus, recuperato presso figline valdarno.JPG
Specimen on display in Italy
Bison schoetensacki [7] A primitive bison
Specimen on display in Germany Bison schoetensacki skull.jpg
Specimen on display in Germany
Sus scrofa [12] West Runton Freshwater BedCommonly known as wild boar, species extant
Wild boar in San Rossore, Pisa, Italy.jpg
Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis [12] A rhinoceros belonging to the extinct genus Stephanorhinus
Skull on display in Germany Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis skull.jpg
Skull on display in Germany
Equus cf. suessenbornensis [12] A stenonine equine
Equus cf. altidens [12]

Proboscidea

SpeciesLocalityNotesImage
Mammuthus trogontherii [10] West Runton Freshwater BedCommonly known as the steppe mammoth, known from a mostly complete skeleton, the West Runton Mammoth collected from the West Runton Freshwater bed in 1990.
Mammuthus trogontherii122DB.jpg
Mammuthus meridionalis [10] A more primitive mammoth chronologically earlier than M. trogontherii
Specimen on display in France Museum of Natural History Southern Mammoth.jpg
Specimen on display in France
Palaeoloxodon antiquus [10] Commonly known as the straight-tusked elephant, a larger relative of African elephants
Reproduccion de Palaeoloxodon antiquus.jpg

Eulipotyphla

SpeciesLocalityNotesImage
Sorex runtonensis [12] West Runton Freshwater BedAn extinct shrew belonging the genus Sorex
Sorex savini [12]
Sorex cf. minutus [12] Remains closely resembling and possibly conspecific with the living pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus)
Sorex minutus.jpg
Macroneomys brachygnathus [12] A large extinct shrew
Neomys newtoni [12] An extinct water shrew belonging to the genus Neomys
Desmana sp. [12] A desman related to the living Russian desman (Desmana moschata)
Talpa minor [12] An extinct mole belonging to the genus Talpa
Talpa europaea [12] Commonly known as the European mole, species extant
Talpa europaea MHNT.jpg
Erinaceus sp. [12] A hedgehog, closely related to the living European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

Primates

SpeciesLocalityNotesImage
Macaca sylvanus [12] West Runton Freshwater BedCommonly known as the Barbary macaque. Though extinct in Europe (with the exception of Gibraltar), it remains extant in North Africa
Macaca sylvanus, Ouzoud Falls, Morocco, 20250126 1128 7323.jpg

Bats

SpeciesLocalityNotesImage
Nyctalus noctula [12] West Runton Freshwater BedKnown as the common noctule, species extant
Nyctalus noctula.jpg

Glires

SpeciesLocalityNotesImage
Lepus sp. [12] West Runton Freshwater BedA hare
Sciurus whitei [12] An extinct squirrel belonging to the genus Sciurus, closely related to the living red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
Castor fiber [12] Commonly known as the Eurasian beaver, species extant
Beaver pho34.jpg
Trogontherium cuvieri [12] An extinct member of the beaver family Castoridae somewhat larger than living beavers
Trogontherium cuvieri.jpg
Cricetus runtonensis [12] An extinct hamster belonging to the genus Cricetus, related to the living European hamster (Cricetus cricetus)
Cricetulus migratorius [12] Commonly known as the grey dwarf hamster, species extant
Nothocricetulus migratorius.png
Pliomys episcopalis [12] A vole belonging to the extinct genus Pliomys
Clethrionomys hintonianus [12] An extinct vole belonging to the genus Clethrionomys
Mimomys savini [12] A vole belonging to the extinct genus Mimomys , related to living water voles (Arvicola)
Microtus gregaloides [12] An extinct vole belonging to the genus Microtus
Microtus arvalidens [12]
Microtus ratticepoides [12]
Apodemus sylvaticus [12] Commonly known as the wood mouse, species extant
ApodemusSylvaticus.jpg

Birds

A variety of birds are known from the Cromer Forest Bed. [15]

SpeciesLocalityNotesImage
Phalacrocorax cf. carbo [12] West Runton Freshwater BedRemains closely resembling and possibly conspecific with the living great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
2021-05-05 Phalacrocorax carbo carbo, Killingworth Lake, Northumberland 1-1.jpg
Cygnus sp. [12] A swan
Anser sp. [12] A goose
Anatinae spp. [12] Remains of several species of ducks
Grus cf. Grus grus [12] Remains closely resembling and possibly conspecific with the living common crane (Grus grus)
Common crane grus grus.jpg
cf. Gallinula chloropus [12] Remains closely resembling and possibly conspecific with the living common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
Common Moorhen 2023 11 11 03.jpg
Turdus sp. [12] A thrush
Sturnus sp. [12] A starling
Corvidae indet [12] A small bird belonging to the crow family
Passeriformes indet [12] A perching bird

Amphibians

SpeciesLocalityNotesImage
Triturus vulgaris [12] West Runton Freshwater BedCommonly known as the smooth newt, species extant
Triturus vulgaris maennchen cropped.jpg
Triturus sp. nov [12] An extinct salamander belonging to the genus Triturus
Bufo bufo [12] Known as the common toad, species extant
Bufo bufo-defensive reaction1.JPG
Hyla arborea [12] Commonly known as the European tree frog, species extant
European tree frog (Hyla arborea) on hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum).jpg
Rana arvalis [12] Commonly known as the Moor frog, species extant
Ostromordyi liagushonok, Dubininskii ruchei.jpg
Pelophylax cf. ridibundus [12] Remains closely related to the living marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus), recorded under the synonymous name Rana (ridibunda) sp.
Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus).jpg
Rana temporaria [12] Known as the common frog, species extant
European Common Frog Rana temporaria.jpg
Rana cf. dalmatina [12] Remains closely resembling and possibly conspecific with the living agile frog (Rana dalmatina)
Agile frog (Rana dalmatina) (17024220509).jpg

Reptiles

SpeciesLocalityNotesImage
Anguis fragilis [12] West Runton Freshwater BedCommonly known as the slow worm, species extant
Anguidae.jpg
Natrix natrix [12] Commonly known as the grass snake, species extant
Grass snake (Natrix natrix) Pieniny.jpg
Vipera berus [12] Commonly known as the adder, species extant
Common European viper (Vipera berus) female Pieniny.jpg

Fish

SpeciesLocalityNotesImage
Esox lucius [12] West Runton Freshwater BedCommonly known as the Northern pike, species extant
Esox lucius ZOO 1.jpg
Perca fluviatilis [12] Commonly known as the European perch, species extant
Perca fluviatilis - Perche commune - European perch Cropped.jpg
Tinca tinca [12] Commonly known as the tench, species extant
Tinca tinca Prague Vltava 2.jpg
Abramis bjoerkna [12] Commonly known as the white bream, species extant
Blicca bjoerkna transparent bg.png
Scardinius erythrophthalmus [12] Known as the common rudd, species extant
Scardinius erythropthalmus 2009 G1.jpg
Rutilus rutilus [12] Known as the common roach, species extant
Rutilus rutilus Prague Vltava 3.jpg
Leuciscus idus [12] Commonly known as the ide, species extant
LeuciscusIdusWindeIde56cm 21-4-2009 16-46-58.JPG
Anguilla anguilla [12] Commonly known as the European eel, species extant
Anguilla anguilla.jpg
Gasterosteus aculeatus [12] Commonly known as the three-spined stickleback, species extant
Dreistachliger Stichling.jpg

Insects

A variety of beetles are known from the Cromer Forest Bed, including the West Runton Freshwater Bed, representing a temperate climate, [16] and from Sidestrand, representing a cold glacial climate. [2]

Flora

Pollen and macrofossils from the West Runton Freshwater Bed indicates the presence of a variety of plants at the time of deposition, representing a forest and wetland environment with a temperate climate. [3]

SpeciesLocalityNotesImage
Alnus glutinosa West Runton Freshwater BedCommonly known as European alder, species extant
20120904Alnus glutinosa01.jpg
Betula Commonly known as birch
Betula pendula Finland.jpg
Plantago major Commonly known as broadleaf plantain, species extant
Grote weegbree bloeiwijze Plantago major subsp. major.jpg
Urtica dioica Commonly known as stinging nettles, species extant
Kopiva.JPG
Picea sp.Commonly known as spruce
GemeineFichte.jpg
Heracleum sphondylium Commonly known as hogweed, species extant
Heracleum sphondylium Berenklauw.jpg
Stellaria media Commonly known as chickweed, species extant
Stellaria media stem hairs.jpg
Schoenoplectus lacustris Known as the common club-rush, species extant
Schoenoplectus lacustris 260605.jpg
Sparganium erectum Known as the simplestem bur-reed, species extant
Vandens augalas01.JPG
Typha sp.Commonly known as bullrush or cattail
Typha latifolia 02 bgiu.jpg
Bidens tripartita Known as the three-lobe beggarticks, species extant
Bidens tripartita 02.JPG
Epilobiumcf. hirsutum Commonly known as the great or hairy willowherb, species extant
Epilobium hirsutum jfg.jpg
Eupatorium cannabinum Commonly known as the hemp-agrimony, species extant
Eupatorium cannabinum (xndr).jpg
Ajuga reptans Commonly known as the bugleherb, species extant
Ajuga reptans 20070429 132711 1.jpg
Thalictrum flavum Commonly known as the yellow meadow-rue, species extant
Thalictrum flavum0.jpg
Cyperus fuscus Commonly known as the brown galingale, species extant
Cyperus fuscus Elbe.JPG
Eleocharis palustris Known as the common spike-rush, species extant
EleocharisPalustrisAspekt.jpg
Juncus sp.Indeterminate rushes
Juncus.conglomeratus.2.jpg
Persicaria lapathifolia Known by several common names including pale persicaria and pale smartweed, species extant
Polygonum lapathifolium3.jpg
Potentilla sp.Commonly known as cinquefoils
Potentilla reptans beauvais-carriere-bracheux 60 20062008 1.jpg
Ranunculus Includes indeterminate members of the subgenera Ranunculus subgenus Ranunculus and Batrachium
Azolla filiculoides An aquatic fern. Became extinct in Europe during the Pleistocene, but was reintroduced to the region in historic times
Azolla filiculoides MUN.jpg
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae Commonly known as the European frog-bit, species extant
HydrocharisMorsus-ranae2.jpg
Nuphar lutea Commonly known as the yellow water-lily, species extant
Nuphar lutea (Detail) 24072005-1.jpg
Nymphaea alba Commonly known as the white water-lily, species extant
2016 Kwiat grzybieni bialych 2.jpg
Stratiotes aloides Commonly known as the water soldier, species extant
Stratiotes aloides LC0258.jpg
Ceratophyllum demersum Commonly known as hornwort, species extant
Ceratophyllum demersum.jpg
Groenlandia densa An aquatic plant, species extant
Groenlandia densa 01 by-dpc.jpg
Chara sp.An alga
CharaGlobularis.jpg
Rubus idaeus Commonly known as the red raspberry, species extant
Fertodi karmin malna.JPG
Rabelera holostea Commonly known as the greater stitchwort, species extant. Labelled in study under previous name Stellaria holostea
Stellaria along the RAVeL L47a in Sankt Vith, Belgium (DSCF5711).jpg
Oxybasiscf. rubra Commonly known as the red goosefoot, species extant. Labelled in study under previous name Chenopodium rubrum
Red Goosefoot (Chenopodium rubrum) - geograph.org.uk - 5499294.jpg

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Cromer Forest-bed Formation". The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units. British Geological Survey.
  2. 1 2 Larkin, Nigel R.; Coope, G. Russell; Lee, Jonathan R.; Silva, Barbara (August 2014). "Early Middle Pleistocene sediments at Sidestrand, northeast Norfolk, yield the most extensive preglacial cold stage beetle assemblage from Britain". Quaternary International. 341: 46–58. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2014.03.036.
  3. 1 2 Field, Michael H.; Peglar, Sylvia M. (December 2010). "A palaeobotanical investigation of the sediments from the West Runton Mammoth site". Quaternary International. 228 (1–2): 38–45. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2010.05.013.
  4. 1 2 Ashton, Nick; Lewis, Simon G.; De Groote, Isabelle; Duffy, Sarah M.; Bates, Martin; Bates, Richard; Hoare, Peter; Lewis, Mark; Parfitt, Simon A.; Peglar, Sylvia; Williams, Craig (7 February 2014). Petraglia, Michael D. (ed.). "Hominin Footprints from Early Pleistocene Deposits at Happisburgh, UK". PLOS ONE. 9 (2): e88329. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...988329A. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088329 . ISSN   1932-6203. PMC   3917592 . PMID   24516637.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: article number as page number (link)
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Lewis, Mark; Pacher, Martina; Turner, Alan (December 2010). "The larger Carnivora of the West Runton Freshwater Bed". Quaternary International. 228 (1–2): 116–135. Bibcode:2010QuInt.228..116L. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2010.06.022.
  6. Bynoe, Rachel; Ashton, Nick M.; Grimmer, Tim; Hoare, Peter; Leonard, Joanne; Lewis, Simon G.; Nicholas, Darren; Parfitt, Simon (February 2021). "Coastal curios? An analysis of ex situ beach finds for mapping new Palaeolithic sites at Happisburgh, UK". Journal of Quaternary Science. 36 (2): 191–210. Bibcode:2021JQS....36..191B. doi: 10.1002/jqs.3270 . ISSN   0267-8179.
  7. 1 2 Sorbelli, Leonardo; Alba, David M.; Cherin, Marco; Moullé, Pierre-Élie; Brugal, Jean-Philip; Madurell-Malapeira, Joan (June 2021). "A review on Bison schoetensacki and its closest relatives through the early-Middle Pleistocene transition: Insights from the Vallparadís Section (NE Iberian Peninsula) and other European localities". Quaternary Science Reviews. 261 106933. Bibcode:2021QSRv..26106933S. doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.106933.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Lister, Adrian M. (1993). "The stratigraphical significance of deer species in the cromer forest-bed formation". Journal of Quaternary Science. 8 (2): 95–108. Bibcode:1993JQS.....8...95L. doi:10.1002/jqs.3390080202.
  9. 1 2 3 Adams, Neil F.; Candy, Ian; Schreve, Danielle C. (January 2022). "An Early Pleistocene hippopotamus from Westbury Cave, Somerset, England: support for a previously unrecognized temperate interval in the British Quaternary record". Journal of Quaternary Science. 37 (1): 28–41. Bibcode:2022JQS....37...28A. doi: 10.1002/jqs.3375 . ISSN   0267-8179.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Stuart, Anthony J.; Lister, Adrian M. (December 2010). "Introduction: The West Runton Freshwater Bed and the West Runton Mammoth". Quaternary International. 228 (1–2): 1–7. Bibcode:2010QuInt.228....1S. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2010.07.035.
  11. Sotnikova, Marina V.; Foronova, Irina V. (August 2014). "First Asian record of Panthera (Leo) fossilis (Mammalia, Carnivora, Felidae) in the Early Pleistocene of Western Siberia, Russia". Integrative Zoology. 9 (4): 517–530. doi:10.1111/1749-4877.12082. ISSN   1749-4877. PMID   24382145.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 Stuart, A.J.; Lister, A.M. (December 2010). "The West Runton Freshwater Bed and the West Runton Mammoth: Summary and conclusions". Quaternary International. 228 (1–2): 241–248. Bibcode:2010QuInt.228..241S. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2010.07.033.
  13. van Heteren, Anneke H.; Arlegi, Mikel; Santos, Elena; Arsuaga, Juan-Luis; Gómez-Olivencia, Asier (21 April 2019). "Cranial and mandibular morphology of Middle Pleistocene cave bears ( Ursus deningeri ): implications for diet and evolution". Historical Biology. 31 (4): 485–499. Bibcode:2019HBio...31..485V. doi:10.1080/08912963.2018.1487965. ISSN   0891-2963.
  14. E.T. Newton On the occurrence of the cave hyaena in the “Forest Bed” at Corton Cliff, Suffolk The Geological Magazine, 10 (1883), pp. 433-435
  15. Harrison, C. J. O. (May 1979). "Birds of the Cromer Forest Bed Series of the East Anglian Pleistocene" (PDF). Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society. 24: 277–287.
  16. Coope, G. Russell (December 2010). "Coleoptera from the Cromerian Type Site at West Runton, Norfolk, England". Quaternary International. 228 (1–2): 46–52. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2010.05.031.

Further reading

Gibbard, P.L., S. Boreham, K.M. Cohen and A. Moscariello, 2007, Global correlation tables for the Quaternary, Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England.