Reasons for Designation
Palaeolithic caves and rock shelters provide some of the earliest evidence of
human activity in the period from about 400,000 to 10,000 years ago. The
sites, all natural topographic features, occur mainly in hard limestone in the
north and west of the country, although examples also exist in the softer
rocks of south-east England. Evidence for human occupation is often located
near the cave entrances, close to the rock walls or on the exterior platforms.
The interiors sometimes served as special areas for disposal and storage or
were places where material naturally accumulated from the outside. Because of
the special conditions of deposition and preservation, organic and other
fragile materials often survive well and in stratigraphic association. Caves
and rock shelters are therefore of major importance for understanding this
period. Due to their comparative rarity, their considerable age and their
longevity as a monument type, all examples with good survival of deposits are
considered to be nationally important.
Details
Jubilee Cave is situated on the north side of a small dry valley on the edge
of Langcliffe Scar near Settle, a few hundred metres north of Victoria Cave.
The cave is orientated SW-NE and lies 10m above the valley floor and close to
the top of the overlying flat plateau. The cave consists of one main passage
half choked by boulders and roof fall with a double entrance at the south-
west end. Near the mouth, the main cave passage divides into two parallel
tunnels, separated by a thin cave wall. There is a gap or window in the cave
wall allowing access between the parallel tunnels. The mouth consists of two
entrances side by side with several subsidiary fissures appearing to connect
with the interior. Outside the cave is a very extensive platform which fans
out in front of the entrances to a distance of about 30m. Archaeological
investigations have occurred periodically at Jubilee Cave in the late 19th
century, when Victoria Cave was being excavated, and in the early 20th
century. In addition to Iron Age and Roman material, artefacts of Mesolithic
and Late Palaeolithic type have been reported from the cave. Although the
cave itself has been investigated as far back as the blocked passageways, the
areas around the cave mouth and the outside entrance platform contain
considerable amounts of deposit which have been left undisturbed beneath a
cover of excavation tip. The monument therefore includes the cave extending
back 20m, and the deposits extending outwards from the two entrances in an
arc of 30m.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13247
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
