BGS Photo P212631 Reproduced with the permission of the British Geological Survey ©NERC. All rights Reserved. Description: Hammonds Wood, Bedham, 4.5 km. NW of Pulborough Railway Station. Bell-pits in the Weald Clay. Ironstone in the Weald Clay was formerly extracted by means of 'bell-pits' - bell shaped shafts. After extraction of the iron the pits were left to collapse, resulting in saucer-shaped surface depressions up to 3 m. in diameter. Because of the uneven topography which remained, and the poorly drained nature of the ground, the areas of bell-pits commonly survive in woods and allow the horizon of the ironstone to be traced. Date taken: 01/01/1980 Photographer: Collins, R.E.
This photograph was uploaded December 13th 2009 by Peter Burgess.Copyright / re-use statement: NERC. All rights reserved.
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