Remnants of prehistoric forest, Splash Point, Rhyl

button-theme-prehistoric-moreLink to Welsh translation Link to French translationThe remains of a prehistoric forest lie under the sands here. Some tree stumps can still occasionally be seen, depending upon the tides.Photo of prehistoric tree stump The stumps (like the one pictured right) are rooted in peat levels below the marine sand, and have been preserved by continuous waterlogged conditions since the trees grew, possibly 6,000 years ago or more.

In 1893, hundreds of people visited the beach to witness the remains of the submerged forest, after it had been revealed by the tide for the first time in 80 years. The town surveyor, Mr R Hughes, made a plan which showed 30 trees rooted as they had grown and also horizontal trunks (see photo, below right). Several of the trees proved to be of oak and elm, the remainder appeared to be birch, alder and hazel.

Photo of prehistoric tree trunk

These are not the only prehistoric remains found in this vicinity. A Stone Age axe head was discovered by Mr TA Glenn of Abergele in 1926. The axe head was of Graig Lwyd rock, quarried at Penmaenmawr c.3,000 years ago, and measured 21.5cm x 8cm (8.5” x 3.125”). This axe head, together with a similar, smaller one found three weeks later, is now at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff.

In the early 1980s, Mr P Brooks found a deer antler while searching with a metal detector device. The county archaeologist dated it as being 2,000 to 5,000 years old.

For more information, see Rhyl History Club’s web page on the submerged forest.

With thanks to Ruth Pritchard, of Rhyl History Club

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