Palaeolithic Somerset 2

A lack of evidence dating to between 180,000 and 60,000 years ago indicates that Somerset may not have been inhabited during this time. During this period there was the advent of another cold stage and this may explain the lack of habitation. At around 60,000 years ago (at the start of the Middle Palaeolithic period) there is evidence that a new species of hominid, the Neanderthals (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis) had arrived in Somerset. It is possible that the Neanderthals came to Somerset having followed migrating herds of animals from the south. The types of stone flake tools that they produced and a distinctive small triangular hand-axe have identified Neanderthal occupation.

Neanderthal Site

An interesting site identified as Neanderthal is that of the Hyena Den at Wookey Hole. (PRN 24330) The site is a small cave located at the end of a steep side ravine and would have been an ideal place to trap and kill wild animals. At the cave entrance were found traces of fire, flake tools and some of the distinctive small hand axes. Though some of the tools were made of local stone a few were made of flint, not a naturally occurring material in Somerset, suggesting a wide area of activity or perhaps exchange and contact with other groups. Similar finds at a site just over the border (modern!) in North Somerset have led to the theory that both sites were used by the same group, perhaps as part of hunting trips along the foot of the Mendip Hills. Radiocarbon dating of a cut marked animal tooth found in association with the site has produced a date of approximately 40,000 years ago.

Upper Palaeolithic

The most recent part of the Palaeolithic, the ‘Upper’ Palaeolithic occurred between 35,000 to 10,000 years ago. The early part of this is know to have been a time of rapid climate changes with a number of short cool episodes interspersed with milder stages. Evidence for occupation has been found at four cave sites on Mendip and four leaf shaped points which were probably hafted as spear heads were found at Badger Hole, Wookey (PRN 24354). This evidence may relate to the last vestiges of Neanderthal occupation in the area prior to the arrival of modern type humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) around 28,000 years ago. Modern man also used distinctive types of tools and the finding of such implements has identified his presence in Somerset.

After about 3,000 years these people were drawn south away from Somerset as the climate changed for the worse and by 18,000 years ago glacial conditions prevailed and the region was uninhabitable. Around 13,000 years ago the climate improved and bands of hunters again roamed Somerset. Several caves on Mendip were lived in during this time including Gough’s Cave (PRN 10398), which has been studied recently. The occupation of the cave seems to have been intermittent rather than continuous and may have been a seasonal base for an extended family group. The episodes of occupation were spread over several hundred years.

Artefact Finds

Many stone artefacts were found including a type known as ‘Cheddar points’, long blades of flint with trimmed points probably used as spear tips or perhaps knives. It is possible that the group travelled some way to procure the high quality flint needed. Some of the implements would have been used to butcher and dismember animal carcasses into useful components such as hide, bone, sinew and flesh. Many carefully butchered animal remains were found including those of horse, red deer, mountain hare, swan and lynx. A number of other items were found including bone awls and needles, three perforated pieces of reindeer antler and some two shaped pieces of mammoth ivory possibly intended for use as javelin heads. Perhaps most fascinating of all was the discovery of several pieces of bone and ivory marked with groups of roughly parallel score marks. It is possible that these indicate a tally system or a rough calendar of some kind. The cave also contained the remains of some of its occupants. The bones and teeth of at least 4 and perhaps as many as 8 individuals were found. Evidence was found that the corpses had also been carefully dismembered, perhaps as part of a funerary ceremony or, more sinisterly, for cannibalistic purposes.

Lock Lomond Ice Advance

A change in the climate 12,000 years ago saw a drop in temperature and the emergence of a new type of hunter, characterised by the use of new types of flint tools. A few of these tools, such as curved-back flint points, have been found in the Mendip area suggesting a limited presence within Somerset. The weather grew significantly colder around 10,800 years ago again making human habitation impossible and there is no evidence for human presence until the climate improved some 1300 years later.