Vince, Mike, Jake, and Jon
Went to the cave earlier again to take some sediment samples from the north facing section beyond Trick or Treat that had been cleaned and recorded last weekend. Before venturing underground, I had a quick scan of the spoil heap (rained in the previous week) and recovered a few more bone fragments.
Before I had finished sampling the team arrived and they waited while I took the last sample, some photographs taken, recording done, kit was packed away (more detailed sediment descriptions can be done at home). To make up for the delay both me and Mike set about digging – Mike concentrated straight ahead going east, I was in the southeast side passage/alcove. There I was happily loosening sediment and filling bags when I glanced down to spot more bone fragments. At the base of the finer, grey and red banded/laminated sediments is a thin layer of red brown clay overlying a calcite ‘false’ floor, slightly degraded. Peeling away the thin upper ‘crust’ of the floor revealed a small accumulation of bone fragments in amongst fractured flowstone lumps. The bones are fragmentary, abraded, and mineralised; some elements were identified as phalanges, other fragments might be identifiable when cleaned and closer inspection possible. A sample of faunal remains has been bagged and tagged for further study.
As the session was coming to its conclusion, more bones were revealed. These were left in situ as further excavation and cleaning will be required. The team all moved back to clear the cave of spoil. At the end of the morning session about 60 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied. There is a small pile of rocks beginning to accumulate underground, these will be removed when a larger team is available.
Refreshments were enjoyed at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn as usual.