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the history of Leyton and Leytonstone

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the first settlement by human beings

A Victorian resident of Hackney, Worthington G Smith, also known as Worthington-Smith discovered a ‘Palaeolithic (ie early Stone Age) North East London Working Floor’ at the same level on both sides of the Lea, seen on the east side at Leyton Street (now called the High Road) and near Walnut Tree House, with stone flakes “as sharp as knives”.  

After the last Ice Age, much of England became covered with woodland, though not the low land beside the River Lea.  The Lea marshes provided opportunities for fishing, transport and later on hay-crops, meadow grazing, and waterpower for mills.