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
Great Oone's Hole is situated on the left bank of Cheddar Gorge, c.80m above
the current valley floor and c.15m below the plateau. It consists of a 4m wide
gated entrance leading into a roomy tunnel, c.150m long and running
horizontally before sloping steeply downwards towards a choke at the back of
the cave. Outside the entrance is a narrow platform, 5m wide, bordered by a
modern retaining wall.
Partial excavations carried out by Porch in c.1902 and by the University of
Bristol Spelaeological Society in the 1970s have revealed Later Upper
Palaeolithic flint artefacts and faunal material. Iron Age and Roman finds
have also been recovered from the cave. There are also fake cave paintings on
the cave wall. Although the excavations were concentrated near the entrance of
the cave, considerable quantities of deposit still remain within 20m of the
mouth, against the wall and under fallen roof blocks, and outside on the
platform, underneath excavation tip. All these deposits are included in the
scheduling.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13261
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
