THE WILSFORD SHAFT; REPORT ON THE INSECT FAUNA.
Author(s): P J Osborne
An extensive beetle fauna is described consisting of c. 140 taxa, many represented by large numbers of individuals. Comparisons are made between the earlier deductions from the fauna in 1969 by the present author and a reappraisal nearly 20 years later. Conclusions about the environment, however were much the same, that the shaft was located in open grassland which supported a population of grazing mammals. No sign of trees was found amongst the beetle evidence, but a population of furniture beetles present was thought to have been living in structural timbers erected by man. The authoropinion about the possible climate has been slightly modified to suggest summer temperatures a little higher than those of the present day, a hypothesis based largely on the large numbers nad diversity of species of the genus Onthopagus. It is suggested that the beetle evidence implies that Wilsford Shaft was dug primarily as a well.
- Report Number:
- 8/1986
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 15
- Keywords:
- Animal Remains Insect
