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
Tramp's Shelter or Tramps's Hole is located on the south side of the Kate
Brook Valley, 21m above the valley floor. The cave is situated halfway up the
steep limestone bluff and has a south-west facing entrance. The mouth of the
cave is about 6m wide and 2-3m high, forming a cavity approximately 10m deep.
The back of the shelter is choked with large limestone blocks and stalagmitic
deposits. There are considerable remaining deposits on either side of the cave
which appear to be overlain by stalagmites. Small-scale excavations in the
1960s revealed small quantities of Upper Palaeolithic artefacts and fauna.
Subsequent investigations confirmed the presence of further undisturbed
material of this age and charcoal remains. The monument includes the whole of
the cave and its contained deposits as far as the drip line at the entrance.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
10721
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
