Red Fescue Hole - Red Chamber, South Gower Coastal Properties

Summary

A small cave on south facing cliffs - in 1985 cave was excavated by amateur archaeologist and animal and human bones were found. The excavator consluded that the human bones were the remains of an inhumation (Davies 1986 pg1-5).

Identification Images (0)

Monument Types

Description

A cave entrance approximately 3m wide on south facing cliffs gives way to an area approximately 2m wide and 5m long. Excavation to a depth of 50cm carried out over three separate days between March and June 1985 revealed human and animal bones with a shell midden and two flints. Apparently there was no stratification though the description of the excavation suggests that a detailed analysis was not made. The excavator concluded that the human bones were the remains of an inhumation (Davies 1986 pg1-5). All artefacts are still in the possession of the excavator.

2003/4 survey
A cave is located on the S facing cliffs just above Red Chamber sea cave, on the W side of a dry valley. The triangular entrance splays outwards which has lead to differing dimensions given to the entrance, but it is approx. 3m wide, 1.5m high. It opens into a chamber c2m wide and 5m long before being blocked by sediment containing a lot of limestone.

In 1984 M.Davies discovered a flint and animal bones in the cave. The following year he opened a trench 1m wide across half of the entrance, to a depth of 0.5m without reaching bedrock, estimated to be about 10% of the total area. Finds recovered from the excavation included human and animal bones, a shell midden and 2 flints. Apparently there was no stratification though the description of the excavation suggest a detailed analysis was not made. The excavator concluded that the human bones were the remains of an inhumation, he retained the finds. The archaeological material included a patinated half moon shaped flint scraper, dated to the Neolithic or Bronze Age. Also recovered was some white chert with no evidence of secondary working. Human remains included a fibula, fragment of femur with surviving articulation and a phalange. The shell midden consisted of limpets and mussels. In a lower layer below the artefacts and human remains, were found animal remains belonging to badger and some belonging to a small deer (possibly red deer) that had been gnawed but also apparently smashed by human action, other bones included ox and sheep and goat. The cave is considered to represent a habitation and inhumation site, possibly Neolithic or Bronze Age, although the only dateable flint was found on the surface of the cave. The inhumation has been disturbed and much of the skeleton is missing but some of the bones suggested a burial head first into the cave. 50m from the cave was found a piece of chert or patinated flint with clear secondary working. Also found was a broken backed blade, dated to the Upper Paleolithic or Mesolithic but its association with the cave is uncertain.

The upper layer was disturbed by beetles, worms and small mammals, but much of the site is unexcavated. Large stones were laid over unexcavated areas to discourage animal erosion. The cave earth still appears quite disturbed at the rear o the cave, presumably from the excavation, and it had recently been used as a shelter as beer bottles and food containers lie strewn across the floor.

References

Designations

None Recorded

Other Statuses and References

Associated Events

Associated Finds

Related Records

None Recorded