9th July

Back to the ‘Bear hunt’

Took a ‘karrimat’ in with me today to the excavation site in the AUD/BTOT area, which was to prove a comfortable option. The plan was to lower/remove the clay layer that appears to be sealing faunal remains. This was done in 25mm – 50mm ‘spits’ using wooden clay-modelling tools. Close to the location where the partial maxilla/canine was recovered (02/07/25) another canine was exposed.

Canine (Ursus arctos) at -0.85m below STN.1. image taken 9th July 2025

The area immediately around the canine was carefully cleaned, photographs taken, and at present the canine remains in-situ. There is some more sediment to come off yet but that will have to wait for another day as, after 3 hours, the need to answer a ‘call of nature’ thwarted a longer stay. Packed the kit away and exited the cave.

27th March

Vince, Roz and Brockers. Later in the morning, Caroline helped out with emptying the bags.

At the cave the work was concentrated on the uppermost level and cleaning a section there, this involved some reduced level excavation. Started the session digging on my side, by the end I was kneeling. 40 bags were filled, dragged away, and hauled out of the cave (the hauling done by Brockers). Caroline turned up to lend a hand as we started to empty the bags.

The uppermost level, cleaning the section underway. 6″ trowel for scale because I forgot to bring the proper scale.