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Historic England Research Records

Rhinoceros Hole Cave

Hob Uid: 197123
Location :
Somerset
Mendip
St. Cuthbert Out
Grid Ref : ST5324047910
Summary : A small cave immediately adjacent to the Hyena Den (ST 54 NW 18), one of a small group of Pleistocene cave sites in the Wookey Hole ravine. A small-scale excavation was undertaken circa 1900 by HE Balch, and more extensive investigation occurred between 1970 and 1976. No material survives from Balch's work, though records suggest that bones of rhinocerous, horse and hyena were present. The bulk of the sediments within the cave were removed during the 1970s excavations, uncovering a thick sequence of Devensian sediments with associated fauna and artefacts. The artefacts in particular seem to confirm two phases of cave use, the principal finds comprising a Middle Palaeolithic handaxe plus 3 handaxe trimming flakes, and a retouched blade of probable early Upper Palaeolithic date.
More information : ST 53244791. Rhinoceros Hole cave. A small previously gutted cave adjacent to Hyena Den (ST 54 NW 18).

Excavations completed 1976 and publication expected 1978. The base levels contained remains of warm fauna associated with the Ipswichian interglacial, and a middle palaeolithic Mousterian implement, and the upper levels remains of cold fauna associated with the Devensian (Weichselian) glaciation, and some crude bone implements.(1-2)
Sources :
Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : Tratman, EK.
Page(s) : 12
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 6, 1971
Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details : Hawkins, AB and EK Tratman. The Quaternary Deposits of the Mendip, Bath and Bristol Areas...
Page(s) : 197-232
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 14(3), 1977
Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 243
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :
Source Number : 4
Source :
Source details : Proctor, CJ et al. A Report on the Excavations at Rhinoceros Hole, Wookey.
Page(s) : 237-62
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 20(3), 1996
Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Middle Palaeolithic
Display Date : Middle Palaeolithic
Monument End Date : -40000
Monument Start Date : -150000
Monument Type : Cave
Evidence : Enhanced Natural Feature
Monument Period Name : Upper Palaeolithic
Display Date : Upper Palaeolithic
Monument End Date : -10000
Monument Start Date : -40000
Monument Type : Cave
Evidence : Enhanced Natural Feature
Components and Objects:
Period : Middle Palaeolithic
Component Monument Type : Cave
Object Type : ANIMAL REMAINS, HANDAXE, AXE TRIMMING FLAKE
Object Material : Flint
Period : Upper Palaeolithic
Component Monument Type : Cave
Object Type : ANIMAL REMAINS, UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT, RETOUCHED FLAKE
Object Material : Bone, Flint
Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 13258
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : ST 54 NW 45
External Cross Reference Notes :
Related Warden Records :
Related Activities :
Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1900-01-01
End Date : 1900-12-31
Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1970-01-01
End Date : 1975-12-31