Loc 6: Barnes High (Shepherds Chine to Chilton Chine)

Today we examined the coastline walking west from Shepherds Chine and covering the famous ‘Barnes High' as featured on the Live Dig from the Isle of Wight on TV. At the time we visited the beds were covered up with shingle although today's strong winds had taken most of the high shingle bank away. Having arrived just after high tide, you can see rapid scouring is taking place and should this continue, this location could be quite interesting soon.

We also examined Cowleaze Cove, where the famous partial sauropod skeleton was uncovered from the Wessex Formation (Wealden) by students from the University of Portsmouth. This was found in the uppermost beds as like most of the bones found in this area.

From the plant debris bed (this is a grey, siltstone bed with wood and small plant remains), we did find a small bone. The bone is complete but broken in two parts, about 3cm long in matrix but is very fragile. It is currently wrapped up and we will photograph after preparation/preservation in time for the new location on UKF for this area.