radiocarbon dating of vertebrate remains from Bull Pit, Perryfoot, Derbyshire (UBSS Proceedings v.28(2))

Abstract: Bull Pit is a large doline located close to the northern margin of the Peak District carboniferous limestone outcrop. Excavation of the sedimentary fill of a rift in the base of Bull Pit by the Technical Speleological Group has revealed an assemblage of more than 350 identified bones and teeth. These remains include specimens from a range of wild and domesticated animal species as well as disarticulated human remains. Radiocarbon dating of five bones from the middle and lower levels of the sediments show that these deposits were accumulating between 1900 and 600 years ago. The dating evidence provides information about the rate of sediment accumulation in the rift, and the composition of the faunal assemblage reflects the high density of deer in the royal hunting grounds of the Peak Forest in medieval times.