Archaeol North 14

Investigation of a cave previously sealed by a permanently flooded passage, in which cavers had found human remains as well as canid and cervid bones; on the mud floor of one chamber were human footprints. Part of a human skull was radiocarbon dated to 3167 ± 55 years b.p. calibrated to between 1520 and 1395 BC or the Middle Bronze Age. Archaeological investigation consisted of recording and sampling of the contents of the cave. The human remains comprised at least three individuals, probably deposited intact. Two distinct unshod footprints, apparently belonging to children, were found plus a number of other depressions; dating of an animal bone pressed into the mud of the footprint surface gave a terminus ante quem date of the fourteenth century AD. Further radiocarbon dating showed that one skull dated to the Roman period. The animal bone comprised a variety of wild fauna including cervids and wolves, plus domestic species. There was no evidence concerning the process of emplacement of the human remains in the cave system.

Excavations in 1997 revealed sequence of Roman activity, including an earthwork of unknown purpose composed of redeposited subsoil piled against a central core of stiff clay, which had been constructed first as a free-standing feature retained by stake-and-wattle fences. This was enlarged on two occasions and at one point given a timber superstructure supported on two parallel rows of large posts. Although there was virtually no artefactual material from the primary earthwork, a construction date of the first half of the second century seems likely from evidence of the subsequent phases. A number of pits and other features were found to the east of the earthwork.

Evaluation of the site of a barrow described in antiquarian accounts and excavated in 1789. No evidence of the barrow was found; two pits were revealed by excavation, one of which contained fragmentary human remains, fragments of iron and a copper-alloy pin.

Description of archaeological activities and projects planned to mark the Millennium, including a Millennium Gallery, excavations, and a cycleway and footbridge linked to Hadrian's Wall.