University of Bristol Spelæological Society

Cave Art on Mendip and in South Wales

Mendip Articles

Ancient Drawing Of Mammoth Found In Cheddar Caves
A possible Palaeolithic engraving has been discovered at Cheddar Caves and Gorge by members of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society (UBSS).
Aveline's Hole Discovery
Two members of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society have discovered an engraving in a cave in the Mendip Hills, Somerset, which may be at least 10,000 years old.
Further Discoveries of Possible Mesolithic Engravings in Mendip Cave
Members of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society (UBSS) have discovered a further series of abstract engravings in the caves in Cheddar Gorge.

Early cave art has also been documented by Society members on the Gower penninsula in South Wales. See Nash, G.H., Simms, M.J., Thomas, L., and van Calsteren, P., 2012. A discovery of possible Upper Palaeolithic parietal art in Cathole Cave, Gower penninsula, south Wales. UBSS Proceedings, 25(3), pp 327-336.

As a spin off from this research we have also discovered examples of unusual 17th and 18th century "Witch Marks" in Goatchurch Cavern (see Binding, C.J., Easton, T., Wilson, L.J., 2005. Ritual protection Marks in Goatchurch cavern, Burrington Combe, North Somerset. UBSS Proceedings, 23(2), pp 119-133) and in Wookey Hole (see Binding,C.J., and Wilson,L.J., 2010. Ritual protection marks in Wookey Hole and caves in the Cheddar Gorge, Somerset. UBSS Proceedings, 25(1) , pp 47-73). You can find out more about these marks by following this link.

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