Extracts from the digging diary

Many people have helped with the dig, some only once; however the main diggers (those who have done more than 20 trips) are Simon Fowler, Alan Gray, Doug Harris.

12 November 2000

The first digging investigation. Many tools were carried up and the weather was appalling – heavy rain, wind and cold.

After about ten minutes digging in the clay at the far left hand end of the quarry I uncovered two metal spikes each 2cm in diameter and 16cm long driven horizontally into the left hand vertical quarry wall. The one nearest the entrance to the quarry was heavily corroded. After a discussion it was thought that the spikes could have been either used for hauling ochre from below or used a supports for a ladder leading vertically into the workings.

Several large stones were pulled out of the end and a small amount of clay was extracted before we gave up due to the weather. Still very enthusiastic – finding the spikes gave some encouragement that there could be a cave beneath.

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