Sign inGeorge Washington Wilson, c.1896
The photograph shows the village of Staithes, which has a sheltered harbour bounded by high cliffs and two long breakwaters (not seen on the photograph). This traditional fishing village lies the border of two boroughs.
The area to the north (the left of the image) of Staithes Beck, Cowbar, is in Redcar and Cleveland; while the main part of Staithes (to the south of the Beck, right of the image) is in the borough of Scarborough. Staithes Beck, which is crossed by a footbridge, is fed by Easington and Roxby becks. A few small fishing boats can be seen tied up along the Beck.
Alum, mined at Boulby Cliff (2.5 km to the north), was originally transported to Staithes harbour for export. The surrounding geology of Lias was formed during the Jurassic Period, and, in the 1900s, a fossil of a seagoing dinosaur was found between Staithes and Port Mulgrave.
Student focus
- Find out what Alum was/is used for. Is this use sustainable? Why/Why not?
- The fossil of a seagoing dinosaur was found near Staithes, and visitors to the area often search for fossils in the cliffs. Carry out an internet search to discover what other kinds of fossils have been found in the area and where.
Current OS Explorer sheet: OL27