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
Picken's Hole is situated north-east of Rackley on the east side of the
south-east ridge of Crook Peak, 27m above the present valley floor and 8m
below the plateau. The monument consists of a very small cave and a more
extensive rockshelter which follows the rock escarpment on either side of the
cave. The cave, which is 4m long and has an entrance c.1.5m high and 1.5m
wide, has almost wholly been excavated and there is little remaining of
archaeological interest except for stalagmitic deposits on the cave wall.
Outside the cave mouth is a large excavated area but there are still
substantial areas of intact deposit on either side and running parallel with
the rock outcrop. Excavations by the University of Bristol Spelaeological
Society between 1961-7 and sampling for dating purposes in 1980 have revealed
a sequence of deposits outside the cave dating to the last glaciation. The
deposits are known to contain fauna spanning the period 25-37,000 radiocarbon
years ago in association with Middle Palaeolithic artefacts. It would appear
from the distribution of finds that the occupation follows the rock face on
both sides of the cave entrance and is scattered over a relatively wide area.
The monument, therefore, includes the stalagmitic deposits of the cave
interior and the deposits outside the entrance for a distance of 15m and
extending laterally 30m on either side of the cave.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13262
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
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
