Microliths and other Mesolithic flints were found at Sandle Holes (NZ 313895 - 'A') and Element Head (NZ 317892 - 'B'). They lay directly on top of a 3ft layer of boulder clay, surmounted by a layer of sandy soil, larger flints of a Neolithic type constituted a separate layer. At a few points on the cliff, the flints can be seen in situ. In all, about 1500 flints were found. Of the three sites in the area, two are on the eroded cliff edge, and the other has been destroyed by quarrying. (1)

The eroded cliff edge at both Element Head and Sandle Holes was examined without any flints being found. A sand pit at NZ 307 897 is the only 'quarry' in the vicinity, and is presumably the third site mentioned. (2)

Mesolithic flints found at Newbiggin. Finds in the Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne, accession no 1964.6.1 and 1979.59; in Sunderland Museum, accession no 230-1964-202, 204-1972 and 113.1964-1; and in the Craven Museum, Skipton, Yorkshire accession no 1942-71. (3)

Mesolithic artifacts from Newbiggin:-
(i) Beacon Point (NZ 317890) two scrapers. In collection of John Davies, unpublished;
(ii) Sandle Holes (NZ 310888) two microliths. In Museum of Antiquities and Sunderland Museum;
(iii) Element Head (NZ 320890) five microliths and one scraper. In collection of J Davies and in Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne. (4)

Element Head, mesolithic habitation site at Newbiggin. Flint and other stone tools collected over time by Rev Tom Heyes. Collection contains 89 items - 1 core, 4 core trimmings, 1 microlith, 1 microburin, 13 blades, 47 waste fragments, 20 fire-crackled waste fragments, 1 stone rubber, one pebble. No round flake scrapers.
Small broken round flake scraper in large patch of peat on the shore c.500m south of element head, found by T Heyes. (5)

c.NZ 320890 Element Head, two flint sites on cliff edge.
c.NZ 310888 Sandle Holes, flints from the first 1ft of soil above sandstone. Finds in Museum of Antiquities and Sunderland Museum. (6)