BANWELL BONE CAVE

OTHER LITERARY SOURCES

George Bennett early 19^th century local historian

Private Histories (c 1825 and later)

J Rutter Delineation’s of North West Division of the County of Somerset (1829)

Boyd Dawkins Cave Hunting (1874)

University of Bristol Speleological Society Proceedings

Journal of the Axbridge Caving Group and Archaeological Society

Bristol Observer (Newspaper) 8^th August 1952

Search - Journal of the Banwell Society of Archaeology

Newsletter ACG&AS January 1969 pages 3 to 5.
THE EASTERN BRANCH OF THE BANWELL BONE CAVE

Stalactitic growth scaling at least one fragment of bone to the roof demonstrates that this branch of the Bone Cave was formerly filled with bone bearing deposits. The early 19^th century explorers dug their way down along the northern rock wall, leaving a bank of deposits on the right hand or southerly side.

The existing floor of the Bone Cave at the commencement of this Branch is much disturbed from erection; in the last century, of a protective semi-circle of boulders and insertion of a flight of stone steps down the left hand side.

A record of an earlier visit (February 1825) by George Bennett[1] includes allusion to voice communication between the Bone Chamber and the underlying Stalactite Cave (despite the then deeper deposits in the Bone Cave). Experience suggests that this most probably occurred along the North wall of the Eastern Branch and may have induced the early explorers to excavate along this side, where an air communication between the two caves certainly exists.

The fullest description of this Branch of the cave is that given by John Rutter in his “Delineation’s of NW Somersetshire, etc.” published in 1829.

He writes -

“…. Visitors descend by a flight of rough, uneven steps, with low headway. On the right hand, through nearly the whole descent, is a bank of stones, sand, and loam, left undisturbed, intermingled with bones lying in their original position.”

The upper part of this bank contains a much larger portion of bones; some of those on the upper surface, appearing as if they had been bleached or whitened by the flow of water, which probably carried away the upper portion of the clay and sand. The bones project from the sides of this bank, and at the lower extremity, they are left confusedly mixed together, as they were discovered; the different kinds appear to lie promiscuously; and on the left, in descending, besides those already mentioned, bones of mice were observed. Mr Beard also exhibits a substance which he considers to be album graecum (Fossilised hyena dung). George Bennett makes special note that the deposits he described (which would be the uppermost and last to enter the cave) were in a bed of sand and fragments of limestone. He noted that the sand was exactly like that in the neighbouring Bristol Channel i.e. Pure sea sand, and that amongst it was found some sea pebbles. He describes one specimen he has as being a true water worn pebble.

Rutter refers to the deposits including “ a small portion of sand” and his reference to sand in the Eastern Branch may but concern what remained of the uppermost deposits these. The present writer searched crevices high up towards the “pitfall” entrance and found remnants of deposits as described by Bennett retrieving part of a lower jaw (probable Arctic Fox, now in Axbridge Museum), but the sand was of a reddish appearance. Quantities of such sand exists in the floor of the Western Branch and some was noticed on the 2^nd chamber of the Galleries floor, though it was not certain if this was an ancient deposit in the cave system rather than material swept in later. That in the Galleries appeared to be water borne.

Boyd Dawkins (Cave Hunting, 1874) describes the East Branch as the lower of two large chambers, bones in the upper one being embedded in “red silt”.

The early explorers excavated to the far end of the Eastern Branch and dug down. Although this has been taken out of context the following may be stated. The ACG&AS started excavating here on Wednesday 9^th September 1953. On 16^th September 1953 they came to boulders and a vertical rounded natural shaft in solid rock. Fresh air was coming up from the Stalactite Cave. Some old pit props were found. No one could have got down. On the 30^th September 1953 work was done, but the excavation became filled in.

To continue the possible linking up of the caves a shaft was dug by the base of the steps. This was excavated through the underlying boulder floor of the Eastern Branch and it was about “30 feet deep”. It would seem that the excavated material was brought up to the outside of the caves. It became known as “Beard’s Shaft”. It must have been excavated later than Rutter’s account. There is no evidence that the shaft broke into any other passage. Mr P F Baker and John Garlick dug in the base of the shaft in 1950.

On Wednesday 27^th May 1953 the ACG&AS started digging in the Area I bone stack - but a boulder was found loose in Beard’s Shaft. It was knocked free and many large bones were found in the earth.

The ACG&AS members noted how the “Beard’s Shaft” was continuing to crumble, and on the 10^th June 1953 further work and shoring was done. The air coming up from the Stalactite Cave was very strong. On the 8^th July a large hole was made towards the main chamber and on 22^nd July commenced digging in the New Shaft and filling in of “Beard’s Shaft”. By Monday 3^rd August “Beard’s Shaft” was filled in. The new shaft followed the rock wall on the North side and on 5^th August the original boulder floor was located.

The bone deposits were 40% of bones, much friable loam with many frog and toad bones and unusual stones. Few large bones, which were of Bison, Reindeer, Wolf and Fox and no rolled ones. Large bones tended to be cracked due to great pressure. The bone deposits seemed to be of drifted material about 10° or less, from the main chamber. A few teeth of Voles were found, identified by Dr M A C Hinton as Microties Malei or Nivalis (Snow Vole) type.

The boulder floor was encrusted with stalagmites and a number of the boulders were forced over at an angle. The early earth between them was very metaliferous with white rocky ochre and iron ore with slabs of stalagmited and calcited stones. Work continued on Wednesday evenings and on 19^th August 1953 voices of the diggers and movements were heard in the Pilgrims Pause area of Baker’s Extension against the black rock there.

B Ellis reported finding solid rock beneath the bone deposits. Further excavation revealed traces of a descending chimney. It narrows and probably closes back towards “Beard’s Shaft”. On the 26^th August the shaft was sunk 4 feet, then the side collapsed.

P F Baker on the 2^nd September 1953 rescued a complete lower jaw of a large rodent. This was considered to be of English Varying Hare. The earth was cleared away and much stalactite and stalagmites were found. On 7^th and 28^th October much debris was cleared. A skull cap, apparently of Hare, was found in the side of the shaft in the lowest bone layers. Boulders were becoming less compact. On Wednesday evening there was breaking up of boulders in the floor and on 2^nd December 1953 the diggers were turning in under the Bone Cave floor, and an archway was opening up - with air pouring up. It blew strongly for a minute, then actually draws back in. It seems to be an entrance in the roof of a large cave between the Bone Cave and the Stalactite Cave.

An engine set up by L J Emmerson pumped water from “The Caves” into the hole. It was all over in five minutes in the Stalactite Cave, and came straight through. This was on 20^th February 1954, and some excavation continued in the shaft on 24^th February 1954.

Banwell Bone Cave - Section

Plan of the Eastern Branch of Banwell Bone Cave

E-W Section of the Eastern Branch of Banwell Bone Cave

Two Projections of Area I

LAYER 1

No.	Date	Remains
1	Mar ‘52	2 Ribs, 3 Vert Jointed
2	Mar ‘52	1 Molar Wild Boar
3	Mar ‘52	Reindeer Jaw
4	Mar ‘52	3 Molars - Red Deer
5	Mar ‘52	Large Wolf Jaw
6	Mar ‘52	Large Wolf Jaw
7	Mar ‘52	Large Canine
8	Apr ‘52	Reindeer Skull
9	Apr ‘52	Bear Lower Jaw
10	Apr ‘52	Bison Jaw
11	Apr ‘52	Limb Bones
12	Apr ‘52	Pt. Upp. Jaw (3M) Wolf
13	May ‘52	2 Vert Ox/Deer
14	Jul ‘52	Bear Canine (Area II)

LAYER 2

No.	Date	Remains
1	Jun ‘52	Notched Bone
2	Jun ‘52	Bison Jaw
3	Jun ‘52	Reindeer Jaw
4	Jun ‘52	Small Odd Vert
5	Jun ‘52	Wolf Jaw
6	Jun ‘52	Reindeer Jaw/Stone
7	Jun ‘52	Reindeer Jaw/Stone
8	Jun ‘52	Reindeer Jaw/Stone
9	Jul ‘52	Reindeer Antler
10	Jul ‘52	Reindeer Antler
11	Jul ‘52	Large Antler
12	Jul ‘52	Wolf Jaw
13	Jul ‘52	Bison Jaw
14	Jul ‘52	Reindeer Jaw
15	Jul ‘52	Pt. Large Pelvis
16	Jul ‘52	Large Skull Base Ox?
17	Jul ‘52	Bison Jaw
18	Jul ‘52	Reindeer Jaw
19	Jul ‘52	Skull Base Reindeer
20	Jul ‘52	Large Vertebra
21	Jul ‘52	Skull Young Bison
22	Jul ‘52	Large Scapula
22A	Jul ‘52	Ox & Deer Bones
23	Aug ‘52	Many Vertebra
24	Aug ‘52	Humerus
25	Aug ‘52	Humerus

LAYER 2 Cont.

No.	Date	Remains
26	Sep ‘52	Ribs Jointed?
27	Sep ‘52	Crushed R Skull
28	Sep ‘52	Crushed R Skull
29	Sep ‘52	Antler Attached
30	Sep ‘52	Crushed R Skull
31	Sep ‘52	Bear Jaw
32	Sep ‘52	Bone over Jaw
33	Sep ‘52	Antler
34	Sep ‘52	Ox Jaw 16” Long
35	Sep ‘52	Jaw Young Reindeer
36	Sep ‘52	Vert End Large Pelvis
37	Sep ‘52	Deer Scapula
38	Oct ‘52	Frag. Reindeer Jaw
39	Apr ‘54	Large Scapula
40	Apr ‘54	Fox Teeth

LAYER 3

No.	Date	Remains
1	Oct’52	Limb Bones R & Bison
2	Oct’52	Pt Skull Bison & Horn
3	Oct’52	Vertebra
4	Oct’52	Antler & Deer Bone Fr
5	Oct’52	Jaw Young Deer
6	Oct’52	Jaw Wolf (Diseased)
7	Oct’52	Vert Small Ribs
8	Oct’52	Large Limb Bones
9	Oct’52	Vert Ribs Antlers
10	Oct’52	Pt Odd Pelvis
11	Nov ‘52	Vert (one huge)
12	Nov ‘52	Limb Bones
13	Nov ‘52	Rib Bison?
14	Nov ‘52	Limb Bones Ox?
15	Nov ‘52	Bison Ribs (Under St)
15A	Nov ‘52	Small Grey Stone
16	Nov ‘52	9 Upp Molar of Wolves
17	Nov ‘52	Bison Jaw
18	Nov ‘52	Bison Jaw 18”
19	Nov ‘52	Vert Jointed Bison
20	Dec ‘52	Large Vertebrae
21	Dec ‘52	Reindeer Antler
22	Apr ‘54	Large Wolf? Molar

The entrance, with a massive draught blowing in and out, was considered too dangerous for anyone to attempt it. The shuttering in the shaft was under considerable strain and would eventually give in. It was therefore decided to abandon this shaft. The present writer, and three others, were privileged to look down into the black cavern below. We could not see the sides. The excavation was filled in late 1955 and completed in March to July 1958.

Despite all of these activities and disturbances, much of the bank of bone bearing deposits described by Rutter survived beyond a low stone wall built across them even after occupation of The Caves grounds by RAF personnel during World War II, and the cave being left open.

In 1950 the University of Bristol Spaeological Society, led by Professor E K Tratman, took an interest in the Bone Cave, and the bone deposits in the Eastern Branch in particular, where they commenced excavating the uppermost remaining deposits in Area I. Tratman’s method of excavation was by carefully lowering the surface, so exposing the bones as they lay. This continued until March 26^th 1951. Tratman, in personal communication with John H Tucker, reported that a complete articulated limb of Bison had been found. Amongst other remains, Wolf occurred, preserved among the UBSS Collections, to which the reader is referred for further research.

The Axbridge Caving Group on 26^th March 1951, directed by R J Weare, with advise from Dr Tratman, marked out a portion of the main floor measuring 9 feet by 6 feet and about one third of this was excavated to a depth of one foot near the Western Branch of the cave on April 8^th 1951. Significant finds were a molar and incisor of Horse (identified by Dr Speed of Edinburgh University as Mendip Horse Type 2) and a portion of the upper jaw of Boar containing 2 canines, 4 incisors and 3 molars.

The floor had been levelled up in the 19^th century with coarse hard-core, so not a great deal of the underlying bone deposits were excavated at this spot.

Subsequently, while examining the sloping disturbed area beyond the boulders at the beginning of the Eastern Branch, Mr Weare found another stray molar of Horse (In the frame of Tovey’s 1831 portrait of Mr Beard at least six horse molars are set, amongst other bones and teeth) but it is not certain that they all derive from the Banwell Bone Cave and may represent finds from several of the bone caves which he explored.

AREA I LAYER 1

The activities of excavators, and the curious, climbing about the bank of deposits in the Eastern Branch, eventually caused some collapses of the bank. On March 26^th 1952 ACG members, led by Mr Weare, conducted a small preliminary excavation on the top edge and a collapsing section which was part of, and below, the UBSS excavation abandoned one year previously. Notable finds are delineated including two articulated ribs with vertebra (1), a molar of Boar (2) and under puzzling circumstances, an upper left pre molar and two molars of peculiar pattern (but evidently deer) found in correct order but with no trace whatsoever of any connecting bone (4). They were shown to Mr H E Balch of Wells, who considered them too large for Reindeer, did not recognise them as Red Deer and suggested that they might belong to a type of Deer previously unreported from that cave. Their identity and manner of occurrence in the deposits remains a mystery. They tended to reinforce a preconception, then prevalent, that these lower deposits in the cave would be found to contain animal remains of an earlier Interglacial period than those higher deposits excavated in the previous century. Hence, a mis-identified jawbone as horse, from the Baker Extension with distorted tooth, was thought to be of a “primitive” horse (it was Ox!) likewise part of a young Reindeer Jaw was

AREA I LAYER 1
at first thought to be of a much earlier form of animal. Halves of lower jaws of large Wolves

were also found.

Mr Weare decided to make the UBSS area of bone deposit excavation beyond the low stone wall the site of renewed excavation of the bone deposits and that, initially, three horizontal one foot layers be excavated, after the manner of Mr Balch’s Badger Hole excavations at Wookey Hole. This became designated “Area I”. D Neads and the writer were principal excavators throughout the first three layers in this area.

On April 2^nd 1952 Mr Weare started excavation of Layer 1 and work continued on the 12^th. A large detached tapering canine tooth was one of his finds (7)

April 16^th work continued and the writer unearthed an almost complete skull of Reindeer tolerably perfect except for the upper jaw and eye sockets. It had antler stumps on it. The usual bones of Ox and Deer species were encountered.

April 23^rd, D Neades discovered two giant canines in the remains of both halves of a lower jaw reduced to a messy pulp (9). It was curious why this should be, as other bones around were quite sound. A shattered Bison jaw was found sandwiched between several limb bones (10, 11).

April 30^th, a new excavation scoop of ½ a cubic foot capacity (made by the writer) was brought into use. Part of the upper jaw of a Wolf, containing the three back molars, was found, which had been slightly “rolled” (12).

Excavation of Layer 1 was nearing completion, and on Wednesday May 14^th 1952, excavation of Layer 1 was finished.

Nine reindeer antler bases from this layer were examined by Dr A J Sutcliffe.

In the ACG&AS Journal Volume 1, Number 2, pages 28 to 31 it was claimed that over 200 bones had been excavated. Dr M A Hinton had identified 52 of them by June 30^th 1952 and these were - Bison, Ox, Cave Bear, Reindeer, Red Deer, Wolf and Fox. NB. The Fox specimen did not originate from this layer, it was half of a lower jaw containing one molar, found in the disturbed area between Area I and the semi-circle of boulders, with the loose horse molar, prior to ACG excavation here.

Speculation occurred that a specimen of Bos primigeacius was present probably from a massive lower left jaw. A very thick bone was suspected of being of “Woolly Rhinoceros” and a canine thought to be of Lion (7). However, it was felt that, provisionally, these should be regarded as of Bison and Bear. (ACG&AS Journal Volume 2, number 3 page 20).

Some rodent remains were found, but only one half of a lower jaw retrieved. Confusion later occurred through it becoming unlabelled, but it was ascertained to have come from Layer 1 and identified as being of Abbott’s Water Vole.

Many of the specimens from Layer 1 and the Main Chamber excavation were mounted in glass cases and were among major exhibits in the Society’s first Museum at Axbridge Town Hall, opened on Friday August 8^th 1952.

A piece of clay pipe was found near to the surface, close to the disturbed area where the wall footings had been laid. Another piece was found in like situation on the edge of the steps.

Layer 1 contained a vast number of important and interesting bones and teeth. Some vertebrae of Ox or Deer tribe were found in articulated position (13) also many bone fragments exhibited evidence of having been rolled and rounded or turned into “pebbles”, affording strong evidence of water action during disposition. Rolled bones were noticeably darker than those found jointed together. Many of these bones were gnawed. Remains of horn-cores of the Ox tribe occurred in this layer. The positions of many of the larger limb bones, etc., indicated a natural bedding of the deposits, dipping at an angle of about 10° towards the east. A number of good specimens were cracked by large stones resting in them. The earth in which the remains were found was very heavy (but quite easy to excavate in dry weather). Ocherous fragments of clay occurred, as well as many (presumed) limestone fragments stained a dull yellow right through. A number of fragments of limestone rock bearing traces of stalactitic formations (curtains etc.) also occurred 29^th May 1952. A petrified mass of the bone deposits about 9 inches square and deep was encountered. A few pieces of heavy white substance (barium sulphate) occurred.

It was observed that Bear seemed to be almost as common as Wolf and that gnawed bones could indicate carnivorous beasts were either living in or frequenting the cave.

Before the stone kists were constructed for bones from the various layers of Area I, some of the bones from Layer 1 thereof were deposited in the corner below the entrance steps. Also deposited were some of the bones and stalagmited stones from the ACG&AS shaft in the Eastern Branch. These are marked on J Tucker’s plan of the Bone Cave as “Residue from Original stacks and Shaft”.

Axbridge Museum 8^th August 1952

A	Ox Jaw, Baker Extension (Deformed Pre Molar)
B	Teeth from Jaw of Boar (Main Chamber)
C	Two Molars of Horse
D	Part of Reindeer Jaw (3? Layer1)
E	Wolf Jaws (Including 5,6 Layer 1)
F	Bear or Lion Canine (7, Layer 1)
GG	Bear Canines (9, Layer 1)
H	Jaw considered to be Bos Perimigenius

The Bristol Observer

Major D C McKeand (Secretary) and Mr H E Balch at the opening of Axbridge Caving Group and Archaeological Museum At Axbridge. 8 August 1952.

The case above shows other finds from the Main Chamber Excavation and Layer 1, Area I.

Above the cases are R J Weare’s Preliminary Plan and Section of the Bone Cave.

LAYER 2

Excavation of Layer 2 Area I commenced on June 11^th 1952 and was completed on October 1^st leaving a 1½ foot wide section undisturbed against the south wall or side of the cave (as recommended by Tratman on one of his visits).

D Neads found a curious notched splinter (1), two halves of lower jaws of Ox and Reindeer were also found (2,3).

Important specimens such as these were washed clean when found and excavated earth saved, to be sorted through above ground.

June 18^th a small vertebra was found, with upward tongue inclined backwards at a considerable angle. It was thought at the time to be of Wolf or from the tail of a Bison (4). June 25^th, some excavation was made, the principal find being half of a lower jaw of Wolf (5). June 28^th the principal and most interesting finds were three badly fractured Reindeer Jaws lying a few inches from one another, all of them lower halves and badly fractured by large stones lying on them (6,7,8). There seemed to be many more large flat stones and fewer loose teeth than in Layer 1, so far. The stones slope up towards the Main Chamber.

July 2^nd, half a cubic foot of deposits was excavated. A count revealed that it contained about 50 bones and splinters, possibly more, among which were 10 fragments of antlers (the commonest finds), 1 large hoof and a pre molar of Reindeer.

July 9^th, a cubic foot of deposits was excavated. Two good portions of Reindeer antlers (9,10), Ox and Reindeer teeth and many common bones occurred. Digging at the face of the second layer D Neads uncovered most of a huge antler of great thickness, with one side point or tine (11) and while doing so unearthed half of a Wolf’s Lower Jaw (12).

July 12^th half a cubic foot of deposit yielded Ox and Reindeer Jaws (13,14), part of a large pelvis (15), the base of a large skull (of a large species of Ox tribe) (16) and many interesting bones.

July 16^th - shattered Ox and Reindeer jaws (17,18), the base of a Reindeer Skull (19) and a huge vertebra were found (20).

The upper jaw of what appeared to be the skull of a young Ox (21) also what appears to be a large scapula were uncovered (22), but not fully excavated.

July 23^rd half of a cubic foot of deposits, the scapula, portion of Ox skull and upper jaw were excavated, but all were in small fragments. It was noted that several rigid tapering pear shaped objects had occurred in Layer 1 but so far not in Layer 2. Mr Balch (through Mr Weare) considered them to be the remains of claws. One claw was found on 16^th July and another this day (23^rd June).

Wednesday July 30^th, one cubic foot of earth was excavated, finding ordinary bones of Ox, Reindeer (22A), Wolf’s Teeth, one Deer Hoof and a claw.

August 6^th one cubic foot of deposits were examined, mostly excavated material from the previous occasion, but nothing of importance was found. The writer took some of this soil to be put in flower pots at home.

LAYER 2

August 13^th half a cubic foot of deposits was excavated, finding many vertebra (23) two fairly perfect humeri lying together, but not a pair (24,25). They lay at right angles to the apparent natural bedding of the deposits and were of Ox tribe. A canine of Wolf, and incisor of Reindeer occurred, also some stalagmited stones etc. In contrast to a comparable specimen from Layer 1, the small stalagmited stones were of quite modern appearance.

A piece of ancient stalactite and curtain were also noted in Layer 2, (the stalactite being found on a previous occasion). They were observed to be obviously of very great age and in a state of decomposition, but deposited (as was noticed in Layer 1), with the bones.

Tiny bones and teeth of Rodentia were retrieved from this second layer (and among them two humeri closely resembling those of small birds, but thought to be probably of Rodents).

September 13^th some bones were excavated but conditions were too wet, though two ribs were found lying together and appeared to have been once joined (26) but no spinal process was attached to them. They were thought to be of a small kind of deer or animal of that size.

The day before, the writer found a tiny piece of flint in some Layer 2 earth removed for plant growth experiment (6^th August). Where it had been broken off from a larger piece of it closely resembled the chalk flint. It had no patination and was of a very dark brown colour.

It would have slipped by the most exact sorting and only showed up because rain had washed the surface of the soil in that flowerpot.

September 17^th, during excavations, D Neads uncovered, but did not remove, what appeared to be remains of three skulls and a very good specimen of Reindeer antler, though much fractured (27, 28, 29, 30).

September 22^nd excavation continued, with D Neads using a syringe to wash away any earth from the delicate bones and made excavation work much more easy, the only drawback being the mud formed and flooding!

One Reindeer skull (which was crushed) was removed, also the antler attached, but there was only the stump of the other, worn down (28,29).

There was not much left of another skull close by (27) but there were good long antlers twisting and twining in and out of the “bone bed” but cracked into many small pieces and so could not possibly have been disturbed. It was noted that the volume of bone deposit here almost equalled that of the clay and the stones they lay in. Digging back round where the skull was, a bone was revealed, the size and shape of which had not previously been seen. It was found to be of Bear and was lying flat on it’s outer side and from North to South with the canine end at the North (31). Sandwiched above it, and only represented by little more than a thin stratum of bone-meal, was a Reindeer skull (30) (located September 17^th). Directly overlying the angle of the jaw and probably causing the complete fracture, was another larger bone, too tightly wedged to completely excavate, which appeared to be that of a pelvis (32).

Following along another antler (33) D Neads discovered a lower jaw of Bison much fractured, but tolerably perfect (34). The teeth were well worn and the jaw 16 inches in length, compared with the Bear’s 12 inches. A large piece of barium sulphate occurred. Large and small pieces had occurred in Layer 1 but, so far, not as plentifully as in Layer 2. The nature of the deposits during the past few excavation days indicated that it was advisable to excavate as did the UBSS, by sinking the surface rather than “quarrying back” a foot face of deposits.

September 24^th many more antlers, etc., a lower jaw of a young Reindeer (35), a vertibrial end of a large pelvis (a good specimen) (36) and a scapula probably of Deer (37) was excavated. Two pieces of stalactite formations both modern looking and decomposed, occurred. It was realised by the writer that decomposition had not taken place in situ as burial had a preservative effect, but erosion from a once open archway of the cave appeared to be indicated, as a gradual process

October 1^st, excavation revealed little of importance, antlers, shattered Reindeer jaws (38), the stump of a little, broken off stalactite and many large and small stones. Quite a few of these were barium sulphate and quite large limestone slabs had been found in this layer lying usually flat and sloping up towards the main chamber, like the large bones. Many of the stones were of a dull yellow substance like a kind of ochre as in Layer 1 and some showed a black patchy surface when broken open. Patches of ocherous clay also occurred.

Some of the smaller stones had been turned into pebbles, similar to the rolled bones. Speculation was made that the rolled bones etc., cannot have been so rolled in the cave, and apparently the bones, when they came to rest, remained unmoved.

The writer, in 1952, considered that a string of potholes in a solid rock bed of a stream, with pebbles and bones grinding around in them outside the cave, seemed to be a plausible contributory factor but the source of water supply was problematical. A resurgence up through the cave system was entertained. It was recognised that any rolled bones would imply re-deposition in the cave.

Later, on April 14^th 1954, when the remaining section of this layer was removed, a large scapula (39) was found, also teeth of Fox (40).

Further observations were that Tratman commented that most of the antlers of this layer appeared to be shed ones. Dr Speed of Edinburgh University considered that Red Deer seemed to be represented among the bones (as Hinton had noted regarding Layer 1 bones), but definitely no Horse remains.

“Rolled” bones and stones seemed to be about equal in number, but few bones showed possible signs of being gnawed. It was observed by the writer that rolled bones seemed darker, as with many pebbles in modern Mendip stream pot holes.

An old brass cartridge case was found on this level, against the steps, and probably pushed in there by some visitor.

In ACG&AS Journal Vol 1, No.4, page 30 J Weare commented on completion of the second layer and finding remains of a stone wall by Beard’s Shaft and a seemed to assume that it was a continuation of the wall along the top of Area I, therefore the bone deposits being excavated were not in an undisturbed state. This supposition was refuted in the next issue. This layer yielded 26 Reindeer antlers examined by Dr Sutcliffe.

LAYER 3

October 8^th, Mr Weare, D Neads and the writer started excavation work on the third layer, finding many limb bones of Reindeer and Bison, including one of very large proportions (1). A portion of the skull of Ox with horn core was also found (2). Several both large and small vertebrae were found, one of Wolf (3). Teeth of Bison, Ox and Reindeer were encountered, and a large number of small stones with white barium sulphate present amongst them.

October 15^th, excavation continued, this being easy, because of the mass of loose small stones in this layer. Several pieces of antler were found and limb bones of the Deer (4). No loose teeth were found, but there was a fractured lower jaw of the Reindeer (young) (5) and a shattered lower jaw of the Wolf (of an old animal who also suffered a lot from it, judging by the diseased, enlarged and distorted middle portion). (6) It could have been an injury received from a fight. Several large and small vertebrae were found and the usual small ribs (7) also some intermediate joints. One of the tapering, pear-shaped “bones” or claws was encountered, and three of the weathered formations. Two were stalactite ribs and curtains (one a fine specimen) and the other the tip of a broken-off stalactite. Many of the small stones were rolled. White barium sulphate continued to be present.

October 22^nd, many stones, both large and small, many large limb bones (some of huge size) (8) quite a number of all sorts of vertebrae, and ribs (some may have been joined, but were encountered at different times). (9)

A pre-molar of the Bison, and one almost completely worn down canine of the Wolf were found. There were also several antlers, but not worthy of much notice. No weathered formations were encountered. From the positions of many of the limb bones (especially a huge ulna lying East to West) it would appear that the deposits were bedded at an even greater angle than in the first and second layers.

The bones seemed to be fewer in this third layer than in the first, only in the number of smaller bones. Their place seems to be taken by the larger number of small stones. It was felt that the deposits of this third layer took a much longer time to accumulate than the later overlying deposits of the first and second layers.

October 29^th, some excavation was made, and a strange portion of pelvis (10) found. The usual bones were found, but no broken stalactite formations.

November 5^th, further excavation revealed numerous vertebrae (11) several limb bones, including a large radius (12) and many stones, both large and small, also, one broken off shattered stalactite. The usual smaller bones were also encountered. The Ox and Deer tribes were abundantly represented, with the Wolf probably present. The deposits continued to be of the nature previously observed but towards the base of the layer at this point, the stones and coarse rolled gravel resembled the bed of a stream as though there had been a runnel of water in here.

A large and almost perfect rib of Ox (13) tribe (?) was found, lying from East to West and almost horizontal, in contrast to previous comments about the angle of deposition. Excavation continued to be by laying bare an area of deposit, not quarrying them back. Excavated earth was usually sorted through, unless a particularly careful excavation had been conducted in removing fragile or fragmentary remains.

LAYER 3

As to the vertebrae, (11) many were found, of all the named animals, some of those of the Ox tribe (?) being of remarkable size, the upward tongue of bone being 13 inches in length, while the joint portion would not excite much comment regarding size.

It was noted that few, if any, of the bones from this third layer bore any signs of extensive rolling as was more common in the upper layers.

November 19^th, as usual, many pieces of Reindeer antlers were found, several limb bones of the Ox tribe, it would seem, some lying at the steeper angle before noticed, while others were quite horizontal (14).

“Ox” ribs were also found, (15) but the remains were now too highly fractured, so many stones being present, causing the damage. Two weathered “stalactites” were found, one being of a flat plate form and obviously from the side.

Their commonness may be due to the apparent slower rate of accumulation of the deposits. This aspect is discussed at length separately in the following pages. A small, grey, sandy stone somewhat like a little “whetstone” (and different from other stones) was also found (15A). Another curious thing was finding of nine teeth of the upper jaws only of the Wolf (16). It was thought, at the time, that several portions of jaws (more than one animal was represented) had been “pulverised” with only the teeth surviving, but search failed to reveal any trace of bone associated! (N.B. only teeth of upper jaws occurred together, which was odd). Half of a lower jaw of the Ox tribe was uncovered, appearing to be 18 inches in length and thought to be of Urus. (18) Many Ox molars, etc., (some from a shattered jaw) (17) were encountered, and most of the “Ox tribe” teeth found were believed to be of the Urus/Bor primigenius?

Two vertebrae were found joined probably of the Ox tribe? They bore traces of some blackening (19). Some bones and two teeth may mark the presence of Fox in this excavation for the first time. Many bones and teeth of Rodentia were retrieved.

December 3^rd, the lower jaw laid bare on November 19^th was encountered but it was in a disintegrating state (18). It lay from North to South with the jaw angle at the North and was bedded at only a slight angle. Some large vertebrae were found (20) also a few antler fragments, and a possibly good specimen of Reindeer antler exposed, but was much fractured (21). The usual animals were represented, including bones probably of Fox. Many bones and jaws of Rodents were retrieved in hand sorting, and a small fragment of weathered stalactite.

It was noted that in all of the three layers what appeared to be hard lumps of clay occurred, swept in with the deposits. The lumps must have come straight in with little opposition and had not since been disturbed or else they would have disintegrated or dissolved.

Another puzzling feature was that, throughout these three layers, patches of black substance were encountered which may well have been decomposed animal material. These black patches were somewhat fluid and sticky; careful examination of a good example of what had been hardened slope of clay, convinced the writer that it was of a carboniferous nature, like a black treacle, but was not associated with the bones. Any blackening on the vertebrae mentioned above, was similar to that found on breaking open some of the stones here, a sort of “sooty” type of appearance.

December 31^st (1952) further work continued, but only of sorting through the excavated bones of the third layer, the writer finding possibly the first recognisable example of a gnawed bone from this layer. It may have been that there were others but had slipped by (as

this one did) in wet, muddy conditions. It was noted also that many of the bones showed marks of having grated over a rough surface, it would appear, rather than definite gnawing. This observation would be a subject for re-examination. It was thought that this bone might have been the work of the commonest carnivore, the Wolf, though it might even have been of the Bear. The bone itself (the present writer noted) seemed probably of some Deer. It was drawn and numerous scratch like marks observed, difficult to evaluate and perplexing.

May 27^th 1953, some excavation was resumed, but this was really preliminary work on the next layer down, Layer 4. When D Neads was excavating the portion of Layers 2 and 3 left against the South wall or side, on April 21^st 1954, a notable find (other than “the usual bones”), was a molar of a large Wolf (Hyena was also suggested (22) ). The deposits which had been so left were found to rest on a projecting shelf of rock sloping forward, so there was not much of Layer 3 represented there, really. The writer obtained 56 Reindeer antler bosses from Layer 3 for examination by Dr A Sutcliffe.

Completion of Layer 3

White Marks Indicate

Layer Divisions

Photograph J Chapman

J Hunt and D Neads

On Completion of Layer 3

Photograph by J Chapman

In ACG&AS Journal Vol 2, No. 2 (September 1954) it was subsequently noted regarding this Layer 3 that more large limb bones occurred, also gnawed bones, and that Cave Bear and Red Deer were in evidence. (Maybe assumed signs of bones having grated over a rough surface was now thought to be gnawing). Bones from Layers 1, 2 and 3 were placed (by the writer) in the Main Chamber of the Bone Cave in a row of stone kists below the East side of the “Pitfall”, next to the stalagmite flow-stone to be discussed on the following pages.
LAYER 4

The writer did not continue excavating into this lower layer, but made notes on outstanding finds. D Neads and George Ellis were principal excavators with Mr Wear’s assistance. As noted regarding Layer 3 a preliminary excavation into this layer was made on May 27^th 1953. Not many bones were exposed and a movement of a boulder in “Beard’s Shaft” occurred that had to be shifted.

June 9^th 1953, excavation proper commenced and the next day a skull of a Bison was discovered (1) and excavated on subsequent excavation digs. Considered the best yet.

July 1^st 1953, a large antler was uncovered by D Neads and carefully excavated (2). It lay directly below where the Bison skull had been. Further back G Ellis laid bare a huge scapulae (3). The cleaning and final lifting of the bone occurred in the following year.

Continuing excavation below where the large antler lay (2) may large limb bones, thought to be of Bison, were found close together lying East to West and only a very slight downwards slope. No Reindeer remains were observed in the base of this layer but Red Deer and Bear were understood to have occurred among the bones in this Layer.

D Neads reported that the earth here was of a “Sandy” nature but this was more of a granular nature than actual sand and a stark contrast to the “gravel” of Layer 3 above.

July 15^th 1953, excavations continued and remains of half of the lower jaw of the Bear (4) was found. An exploratory excavation down against the rock face beside the scapulae (3) was blocked by large limb bone resting almost upright against the rock (Layer 5 - 6). Higher up, D Neads continued uncovering the surface of Layer 4, finding the ends of four bones in a row, most of them appearing to be Bison (5). D Neads carefully uncovered the rest of the four limb bones and left them in situ as this assemblage appeared odd. Hitherto such bones had been found as if having slid down the slope or pile of debris; occasionally some had been found lying horizontally (as was virtually the case with the large limb bones found below the large antler (2)), but here were four bones laid out side by side, East to West, on what had been a level surface! Actually, they appeared to be laid out in two pairs but were not identical. There seemed to be no answer to this phenomena.

March 3^rd, bones from Area I were started to be stacked by the present writer to the left of Beard’s bones stacked in squares.

March 10^th 1954, the present writer painted the cave wall with the Layer levels. The scapulae (3) had remained during the winter. Some galvanised sheeting was erected in early June 1954 and on 3^rd June 1954 Layer 4 continued to be excavated. It would seem that D Neads photographed the scapulae about this time. It is possible that a weathered stalactite could have been found. Unfortunately the long stay caused a number of fractures and the scapulae is in the foreground of the photograph of the 21^st July 1954.

During the winter of 1954-1955, excavation of Layer 4 continued. The limb bones (5) were lifted and some more of Layer 4 was excavated.

LAYERS 4 & 5

Large Scapula, Layer 4 No. 3 1954.

Photograph by D Neads.

D Neads Demonstrating Excavation of Bone Deposits

21^st July 1954, Photograph by J W Hunt.

LAYER 4, 1989
LAYER 5

Meanwhile by early June 1954 George Ellis continued excavating where the large scapula had been, into Layer 5, finding half of a lower jaw of Bison (1’). Other notable finds were Reindeer skulls (2’/4’) and also a large antler (3’) and half a lower jaw of a Bison (5’). The large limb bone located in July 1953 resting almost upright against the rock (6’) was also excavated. It appears to have been of a Bear.

In a review of work up to June 1954 in ACG&AS Journal Vol. 2, No. 2 page 8 (published September 1954) which was mainly the writings of the present writer, the excavation of a complete cranium of a wolf, with most of the upper jaw is recorded. Reindeer skulls (2’/4’) are mentioned also. It may be that Mr Weare may have mentioned this, and the Red Deer and Fox, but would seem if correctly reported, to have been an event that escaped the notice of the present writer and so unfortunately cannot be accurately placed.

The report talks of the work being the finishing-off of the excavation. Excavation work persisted until July 14^th 1954. A photograph by the writer on 21^st July 1954 shows D Neads posing as if excavating.

Bones from Layers 4 and 5 were built up into “squares” by G Ellis on the West of the earth bank below the “Pitfall”.

LATER FINDS

It was in 1964 that John H Tucker examined the excavation site and cleaned off and photographed some of the deposits. His photograph of this area indicates that barely 6 cubic feet of Layer 4 then remained and shows a bison bone lying East to West, horizontally, near the base of this Layer (6, Layer 4). This is important as it indicated a continuation of the near horizontal close-packed bones found below the large antler (2, Layer 4) July 1^st 1953.

It would seem that here, in this part of the Eastern Branch, Layer 4 accumulated in a near level state. Exactly how this could have been is difficult to comprehend, but bones remarked on in this context lay in like order and not the random scatter that would be expected.

In the UBSS Museum there are many boxes of bone deposits from Banwell Bone Cave (1995). Most of the specimens have been cleaned. There are a number of jaws of various animals and a bone had a date on it of November 1970. These are supposed to have come from the main chamber but the relevance is not distinct and some jaws have been excavated with earth retained on them. It could be that many bones may come from Tratman’s excavations.

In UBSS Proceedings Vol 15, No. 1 (1979) page 7, Harrison reviewed examples of perforated prehistoric bones resembling “whistles”. One example is of a bone obtained (1977) from loose miscellaneous bones near the Eastern Branch excavation, being a phalange considered to be naturally perforated at a weak point.

As indicated in the Plate, by 1964 most of Layer 4 had been excavated. In early 1989 Percy Baker examined the exposed underside of the rock shelf, probed a little and out came a Bison tooth. Carefully continuing investigation, he found a total of fourteen loose, extracted teeth of Bison close together underneath the rock shelf (A). Apart from the horizontal East to West Bison bones, here was another odd occurrence! The Bison teeth have the appearance of a collection of teeth hidden under the projecting edge of the rock. No actual jaw bone was

Photographs Of Eastern Branch Bone Deposits - J H Tucker 1964.

The Top Left Photograph Shows Layer 4 No. 6 Bison Bone.

associated and there is some what of an echo of the nine loose Wolf’s teeth found at a higher level in 1952 (16, Layer 3).

He and Yvonne Sargent continued to examine what remained of Layer 4, a principal and outstanding find being part of the upper jaw of a Wolf (B). The tip of a large “dead” weathered stalactite was also found (very similar to that from Layer 2A). A small ammonite like fossil occurred (C) of a grey sandy stone, not far from Wolf jaw fragment B and reminiscent of the grey sandy stone found in Layer 3, 15A, 19^th November 1952. Amongst bones retrieved, Andrew Carrant, on a visit in May 1993 noticed part of the pelvis of a cat like animal. On an earlier occasion (17^th March 1989) remains of Bison, Reindeer and Brown Bear also occurred.

GARLICK’S EXTENSION

John Garlick found this passage on March 26^th 1952. It was only loosely blocked at the entrance by the crumbling bank of bone deposits. Earth spread into it was of a rounded surface water borne appearance, silting over the stalagmited rocks and stones at the end. The passage is only 8 feet (2.5m) long.

On April 2^nd 1952 P Baker enlarged the entrance, finding an almost complete lower half of a Bison’s jaw (1) and a Reindeer skull minus the upper jaw and no horns protruding (2). A Fox canine was retrieved by the writer from the top of the entrance to the new extension (3) (once thought to be of Wild Cat), and a largish base of a Reindeer antler (male) from just beyond it (4). This base was included in Dr Sutcliffe’s study of the Reindeer antler bases.

In ACG&AS Journal Volume 2, Number 4, Page 41 (September 1955) the Reindeer skull is assigned to Layer 4 level. This was a mistake either in transcription or incorrect assignment. The text has “near the entrance to Garlick’s Extension” when what is implied is that it was “close to the original entrance”. The reconstructed sectional view indicates a 7^th - 8^th foot level for 1,2 and 4.

This interesting little “passage” has a number of stalagmite flows, diminutive curtains with little stalactites descending, some broken off, yet all are pre-bone deposit. They are a reminder of what the various parts of the cave system (that supplied the broken formations found in the bone deposits) would have looked like.

AREA II LAYER I

This comprised part of the disturbed area above the low North to South wall. A small excavation on this level was made on July 9^th 1952, removing stones from the wall near where a portion of a jaw with two large canines had been found on April 23^rd 1952 (Area I Layer 1 No. 9) Almost immediately, just underneath one of the stones near the rock wall, the writer unearthed a perfect canine of the same type of animal (14). Exploring around this spot, little else was found except a jumble of antlers, teeth, disturbed bones and bone fragments.

Excavations proper did not commence until July 22^nd 1953, finding nothing much except disturbed bones and stones left by early excavators but, at the base of this “layer” some undisturbed remains were touched on. The bones were of the usual animals, except two smaller limb bones thought to be of Hare but since identified as Fox (one of these was found on April 14^th 1954 when washing bones). This layer yielded eight of the antler bones examined by Sutcliffe. Layer 1, Area I, yielded nine specimens (so the rate of Reindeer bases was comparable, despite disturbance). “Rolled” bones also occurred in Layer 1 Area II.

GARLICK’S EXTENSION

The entrance to Garlick’s Extension is remembered as being at a lower level, (as recorded in the survey of 21^st May 1952, within two months of the discovery). It would appear that collapse and erosion of Bone deposits on the right-hand side has caused infilling and upward progression of the entrance over the years.

In the undisturbed lower portion of this layer it is recorded in ACG&AS Journal Volume 2, Number 1, Page 17 (March 1954) that another Cave Bear jaw was found. This was probably the remains of a toothless specimen from which canine Area II, Layer 1, 14 derived.

THE VOLES

The bones of Amphibians (frogs, toads) were present in abundance in the early part of the bone deposits in both the Eastern Branch and Baker’s Extension rift in the Western Branch. In the Eastern Branch of the cave they were noticeably present up into Layer 3 and occasionally vole remains occurred.

The late Dr M. A. C. Hinton identified many specimens retrieved by the writer; in the earliest deposits (first metre) the specimens were unfortunately not very distinct, but considered to be of Microtus Malei or Nivalis group. Likewise, those from Layer 3 were also considered to be M. Malei or Nivalis (and Allies). On this basis, tenuous though it be, it may be postulated that vole remains present were much the same for the first half of the bone deposits in this Branch of the cave. (7 - 8 foot of deposits by estimation)

Coming to Layer 2 however, Dr Hinton positively identified M Nivalis (the Snow Vole) and M Anglicus (English Vole) as present. Regarding these ancient voles, if Nivalis was indeed present then it could be important in dating the deposits.

Dr Hinton identified M. Anglicus in Baker’s Extension rift deposits and a lose molar as of M. Nivalis. Dr K Kowalski, of Krakow University, Poland was sent some of these vole specimens through the auspices of John H Tucker and Dr A Sutcliffe around 1970. The last mentioned molar Dr. Kowalski was not sure as being of M. Nivalis and he suggested that it could be of M. Agrestis instead (letter to JHT 6^th April 1971).

As to M. Anglicus (extinct English Vole) this was well represented in Layer 2 (a number of lower halves of jaws, and loose teeth, being retrieved by the writer) and it was represented by half of a lower jaw in Baker’s Extension. These identifications have not been challenged.

It would appear, then, in this review, that M. Nivalis (Snow Vole) was only positively identified by Dr Hinton in Layer 2 and possible Baker’s Extension rift. Unfortunately, the Layer 2 specimen has not yet been traced and, as noted above, the other molar could prove to be of another kind of Vole.

The sudden appearance of M. Anglicus in Layer 2 would constitute a notable horizon in the infill of the Eastern Branch and could indicate that Baker’s Extension received its bone deposits at the same period.

It may be noted that two vole teeth (3^rd upper left molars) from just inside Baker’s Extension entrance were identified as of M. Ratticeps and M. Agrestis or M. Arvalis by Mrs Jennifer Hall of Manchester University, Department of Zoology, in 1969 (through J H Tucker). Two others from the same position remain unidentified.

As noted on previous pages, Layer 1 yielded a specimen identified as Abbott’s Water Vole.

THE “ROLLED BONES”

Such phenomena was not definitely observed in the earliest deposits, but Mr George Bennett obtained several pieces of water worn pebbles. It was not until Layer 3 that a “rolling” action appeared evident and this coincided with small stones. Few (if any) of the bones bore signs of extensive rolling. (October 15^th and November 5^th 1952). Smaller bones seemed less in evidence, their place being taken by the smaller stones. The small stones appeared to be like coarse rolled gravel and many were mainly in what appeared to be a water-washed bed near the base of this layer. Judging by the high concentration of Reindeer remains (and sharp contrast to earlier Layers 4 - 5 which were more earthy, had a cache of Bison teeth and even several bones on a level portion of floor), a climatic change must have been involved, suggestive of the grinding action of a mini-glacier and melting snows.

Higher in Layer 2 “rolled” bones and stones seemed to be about equal in number. The stones were noticeably like pebbles, while in Layer 1 “rolled” bones seemed even more common. These bones often appeared to be darker than ‘ordinary’ bones in the Cave, reminiscent of the condition of stones in Mendip potholes and stream beds. Re-examination is required.

John Tucker examined some Eastern Branch bone deposits, finding many small bone splinters, which he suggested may have been remains of bones caught up and whirled around in the cave by a resurgence of water up through the cave system, and so smashed to pieces (Search Number 19, 1983).

Rolling action was not evident among broken stalactites and the presence in Layers 1 - 3 of lumps of clay fallen into the Cave yet remaining intact where they lay suggests otherwise, that rolling action took place outside of the Cave. An idea was formed during the 1952 excavation that the Cave was flooded and deposits were laid down under water, but this had to be modified and might only apply to the last deposits, described by Bennett.

The present writer suggests that the majority of the stalactite fragments came from the direction of the entrance archway with steps and that rolled bones and “pebbles” came in through the “Pitfall”. Putting aside the problems of the pulverised bones and external source of a water supply (before the “Pitfall” was cemented over in 1969 and a pipe inserted to maintain air-flow) examination showed that it opened out into what had been the bottom of a chamber with a worn U-shaped chute in the rock leading Eastwards. The impression was gained that this could have been a catchment for water (whether snow melt or violent downpours) funnelling it straight down into the Cave. The nature of the worn chute could not be examined because of so much unstable rubble in the then open shaft (1966) but it might have exhibited traces of a long-suspected chain of potholes with stones and bones grinding round in them? Perhaps we shall never know with any certainty, but “rolling” of stones and bones appears to be later than broken stalactites, which are a separate, unrelated phenomenon. It is suggested here that rolled bones lay in an ante-chamber above the “Pitfall” and were re-deposited with other bones, earth and stones coming into the Bone Cave.

Signs of Transverse Stratification evident in a Photograph taken by E J Chapman early in 1953. Disturbance occurs along the stony area of the wall footing, probably where the earlier excavators had removed large bones. Layer 1 (and into Layer 2) was a darker, clayey deposit with high concentration of bones. The lower part of Layer 2 was stonier and Layer 3 stoniest of all (and even contained rolled gravel near it’s base).

The Southerly inclination is suggestive of material spreading from the direction of the present entrance archway, the small squares were white marks pinned in position to indicate 1ft horizontal layers.

Layers	Voles	100 Reindeer Antler Bases Studied	Estimated Bone Volume	StalactitesCurtains per Cubic Metre	Cave Conditions?	“Rolled” Bones & Stones	Human Activity?
1	A’ Water Vole	9 (+ 8 from Layer 1 Area II)	60%	(11?)	Dry? Stalagmited Mass	Many Rolled Bones	Large Bones Under Stones. Black Patches
2	M Anglicus M Nivalis	26	50%	13.5	Dry? Stalagmite Drip	Rolled Bones & Stones	3 Reindeer Jaws Under Stones, Notched Bone? 2 Odd Humeri Paired. Faint Chip. Black Patches
3		56 (Very Cold Period)	40%	16.0	Flooding Water Action	Rolled Stones & Coarse Gravel	“Carved” Antler. “Tally”. 9 Wolves Teeth together. Black Patches
4				Present	Dry?	More Friable Earth	2 pairs of Bones level in a row.
5							Cache of 14 Bison Teeth
Beyond Garlick’s Extension	M Malei/Nivalis? (Also Amphibia)	1

SOME SIGNIFICANT FEATURES

ANALYSIS OF STALACTITIC DATA - AREA I

The table of Stalactitic Date concerns about 29 cubic feet of deposits or rather less than one cubic meter. One specimen (B of 5 November 1952) at first loosely described as a ‘stalactite’ has been reclassified here as a ‘curtain’ which it more closely resembles. “Intermediate” concerns specimen C of 19 November 1952 which was “dead” but not weathered, whilst the fresh one of 24 September 1952 was evidently “live” when fractured.

It would seem that over 50% of the specimens in Layer 3 were side formations or curtains, diminishing to 20% in Layer 2. However curtains are mentioned as being present in later Layer 1 above. A weathered, decomposed stalactite (closely resembling A from Layer 2) was found in Layer 4 in 1989, and in the earliest deposits in the Eastern Branch, slabs of stalagmite, both large pieces and of calcited form, occurred. These were localised in origin, whereas the weathered specimens were ancient formations long “dead” and decomposing into chalky substance.

It was in Layer 1, Area I, that the writer became aware of the possible significance of such phenomena and decided to keep careful note of further specimens. A mass of petrified bone deposits (of about 3 to 4 cubic feet) was found in Layer 1, formed by percolation from some overhead drip deep into this layer. It was assumed to be of recent origin - but on the other hand, supposing it was an ancient formation buried under later deposits?

Date	Layer	Weathered Stalactites	Weathered Curtains	Intermediate (Stalactite)	Fresh (Stalactite)	Cu ft Rate	= Per Cu metre
13-Aug-1952	L.2	1	1			]
24-Sep-1952	L.2	1			1	} 1 per 2.6	13.5
1-Oct 1952	L.2	1				]

15-Oct-1952	L.3	1	2			]
5-Nov-1952	L.3		1			} 1 per 2.2	16.0
19-Nov-1952	L.3		1	1		]
3-Dec-1952	L.3	1				]

On 13 August 1952 the writer uncovered some “stalagmited stones” in Layer 2 close to humeri. Nos. 24 and 25. Comparison was made with what seemed to be a “more recent” example which had been found in Layer 1. The Layer 2 example was composed of several little stones sealed together with a small deposit of brownish stalagmite set right way up in what appeared to be a patch of hardened clay. This specimen was rather insignificant and isolated so did not excite further comment. It might have formed in situ. If so, this is significant, as it would denote “dry” conditions and a pause in deposition of bone deposits at this level (in Layer 2). It is a clue easily overlooked and no comparable example was noticed in later deeper excavations.

From the Table there seems to be a (natural) falling off in numbers of broken stalactitic formations, (in calculation of rate per cubic feet /metre). Even so, to maintain a fairly steady supply, quite a lot of cave roof/archway erosion is indicated. The formations probably already mixed with the incoming deposits entering the cave as scree. None have been observed as “rolled” or abraded and so probably came from local or former extensions of the cave precincts. Only 8.3% of the total detailed above was of fresh “live” growth.

A difference in bones to earth/stones was noted, Layer 3 was stonier than Layer 2, there were more loose flat stones in Layer 2 than in Layer 1, and Layer 1 contained a mass of bones. In Layer 2 it was estimated that the ratio of bones to earth/stones was about 50%. This provides a useful proportion for calculations. The rate of stalactites per cubic metre of deposits was estimated at 13.5 but the stalactites probably belong to the earth and stones’ 50% of the deposit. If the earth and stones are considered (separate from the bones) then the rate of stalactites would be 27 per cubic metre of earth and stones alone!

There were slightly more stalactites per cubic metre of bone deposits in Layer 3, but there was also an increase in the proportion of stones. Therefore the rate of stalactites for both Layers 2 and 3 may be regarded as approximately the same. The impression gained at the time of excavation was that accumulation of bone deposits in Layer 3 appeared to be a slower

process than in Layers 1 and 2 and the rate of stalactites, as re-calculated above, would tend to confirm this observation. In other words, stalactites were being deposited at the same rate in Layer 2 as in Layer 3 but there was an acceleration in the quantity of bones in the deposits forming Layer 2, into Layer 1.

Another aspect is that in the make-up of Layer 2 (one foot of bone deposits) only the equivalent of 6 inches of earth/stones with 27 stalactites per cubic metre were incorporated, so giving a count of only 13.5 in the resultant mixture. This implies that Layers 2 and 3 together involve about 14 inches of earth and stones on their own. (See diagram).

Assuming that the bulk of this came through the Entrance Archway, a sloping spread of already mixed incoming earth and stones may have covered an area of 50 x 15 feet. A foot depth of this would involve 750 cubic feet which may be estimated to contain almost 580 broken stalactites at the rate deduced! Larger stones and slabs tend to slide on down a slope, whereas stalactites would tend to maintain a fairly constant position in the earth and smaller stones. As already noted, the stalactites did not exhibit signs of rolling or abrasion so cannot have travelled far.

Almost 600 broken stalactites and curtains per foot of incoming stones and earth is surely too many even though broken-up pieces of curtain are included? A very large roof area would be necessary to provide this number let alone deposits above and below. This is a subject for further research as in any case the stalactites have come in from a higher level, whatever their actual quantity, presumably from chambers now quite eroded away?

So much for a few stalactites! As to the Cave as a whole, in November 1952 the writer attempted to estimate the total cave contents when discovered, favouring them capable of filling a block 40 x 30 x 20 feet (24,000 cubic feet or 680 cubic metres). A lesser alternative was 18,000 cubic feet.

Perhaps a compromise of 20,000 cubic feet or 567 cubic metres, is closer. Assuming that the average bone volume was 40% (something like Layer 3) then 12,000 cubic feet or 340 cubic meters would be earth and stones.

This is not to suggest that this all contained stalactites as assessed for Layers 2 and 3. No, the rate of accumulation of earth and stones might be fairly constant irrespective of bones, so, assuming that, on average 2 cubic feet per annum entered the cave 12,000 cubic feet would indicate a period of 6,000 years. This sort of information to be deduced when dealing with such calculations.

Returning to the petrified bone deposits in Layer 1, when ACG&AS commenced investigations in 1951, a larger mass of petrified bone deposits, evidently found by the 19^th century excavators and set aside, was taken to the Axbridge Museum, opened in 1952.

Another example of a cave pit fall may be noted at the Loxton Cave, not far away. The pit fall which was large enough for people to get out of was over hung by a small slab of rock. Down in the cave there was a quantity of earth and bones of foxes and birds in various manners of decay.

STALACTITE EROSION RATE

ANCIENT ERODED ARCHWAY
A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE REINDEER REMAINS FROM BANWELL BONE CAVE - ANTLER BASES

by A J SUTCLIFFE

The Journal of the Axbridge Caving Group and Archaeological Society Volume 2, Number 4, Pages 35 to 40 (September 1955).

Area	Layer	Specimens
I	1	9
II	1	8
I	2	26
I	3	56
Garlick’s Extension	-	1
	TOTAL	100

BISON ASTRAGALI - BANWELL BONE CAVE

Dr A J Sutcliffe, around the time of the Reindeer survey, obtained measurements from the present writer of a number of Bison Astragali. These included some of the earliest ones in the Eastern Branch until Area II Layer 1, with possible Ox bones. There were two other ones from Baker’s Extension. Sutcliffe noted that they were rather small.

Size plotted against abundance indicating a bincodal assemblage, but not certain if this is due to sexual differences or bos remains other than Bison (NB Ox present in Layer 1)

MEASUREMENTS OF ASTRAGALI OF BISON FROM BANWELL BONE CAVE

Location in

Cave

Number of

Examples

and size

range

Average

Measurement

(millimetres)

Baker’s Extension

Rift, Western Branch.

(Probably contemporary with Layers 2 and 1 Areas I & II below)

59.5 - 62.5

61.0

Eastern Branch

Area II
Layer I (9’ - 10’)

59 - 62

60.6

Area I

Layer 2 (8’ - 9’)

57 - 63

60.0

Area I

Layer 3 (7’ - 8’)

58 - 67

61.6

Area I

Layer 4 (7’)

Upper Portion only

60 - 68

63.1

Earliest Levels

(1-3)

1953 Shaft

59 - 65

62.0

TOTAL AVERAGE
MEASUREMENT

61.3mm

Measurements varied between the extremes of 57.0 mm (Layer 2) and 68.0 mm (Layer 4) (One Example of each of these measurements only).

Diagram Illustrating Measurement

Letter from the Axbridge Caving Group and Archaeological Society (Mr J W Hunt) to Professor E K Tratman Dated 31st August 1956 [Page 1]

Letter from the Axbridge Caving Group and Archaeological Society (Mr J W Hunt) to Professor E K Tratman Dated 31st August 1956 [Page 2]

No.	Date	Remains
1	Jun’53	Bison Skull
2	Jul’53	Large Antler
3	Jul’53	Huge Scapula
4	Jul’53	Bear Jaw
5	Jul’53	4 Limb Bones in a row
6	1964	Bison Bone
A	1989	Cache - 14 Bison Teeth
B	1989	Upper Jaw Frag Wolf
C	1989	Grey Stone Fossil

No.	Date	Remains
1	Apr’52	Bison Jaw
2	Apr’52	Reindeer Skull no ants.
3	Apr’52	Fox Canine
4	Apr’52	Reindeer Antler Base

No.	Date	Remains
1’	Jun’54	Bison Jaw
2’	Jun’54	Reindeer Skull
3’	Jun’54	Antlers
4’	Jun’54	Reindeer Skull
5’	Jun’54	Bison Jaw
6’	Jun’54	Large Femur?