Summary
A clearly visible cave situated in the side of Mewslade dry valley. A passage extends into the cliff ending in a vertical fissure. The cave was investigated between 1914 and 1919 by E.C. Cunnington who found "recent" animal bones, flint fragments and traces of iron workings. The cave was thought to have been used in the mesolithic period and reoccupied in more recent times.
Identification Images (0)
Monument Types
- CAVE (Prehistoric - 500000 BC to 42 AD)
Description
clearly visible cave situated in the side of Mewslade dry valley. The entrance measures 1.0m by 1.0m and faces NE. A passage of the same dimensions extends into the cliff for 2.7m ending in a vertical fissure.
The cave was investigated between 1914 and 1919 by E.C. Cunnington who found "recent" animal bones, 7 flint fragments, a blunted back microlithic point and a possible bone tool. There were also traces of iron workings. The R.C.A.H.M. suggested that the cave was used in the Mesolithic period and reoccupied in more recent times (Glamorgan Inventory Vol I (1), pg13 No3. See also Allen and Rutter 1947 pg35-36. The finds are listed in the Royal Institute of South Wales Museum Accessions Book but in 1970 C.H.Houlder for the R.C.A.H.M. could not locate them (N.M.R. (Wales) Glamorgan 30NE).
2003/4 survey
A cave visible two thirds of the way up in the E side of Mewslade Valley, with an archway entrance facing NE. The entrance measures 1m x 1m, although now appearing slightly larger (measurements now 1.9m x 1.2m high.) opening into a passage of the same dimensions and 2.7m long, ending in a vertical fissure or pothole. The tight squeeze leads up to a small chamber 1.5m long. Around 3m higher up is a 2nd smaller cave 0.6m wide by 1m high with a passage only 1.5m long. Brown humic soil overlays red clayey cave earth rising up at the rear of the entrance. Around 1.5m round to the W of the main cave entrance is another small acrhway opening c0.6m high and c0.7m wide with a passage possibly 2m long though too small to investigate properly, it appears to run off to the N.
The main cave was investigated between 1914 and 1919 by E.C.Cunnington 9the finds were presented to Swansea museum in 1914 and 1919) who recovered 'recent' animal bones, 7 flint fragments, a blunted back microlithic tool and a possible bone tool. There were also traces of iron workings. The finds could not be located by the RCHHMW in 1970. The blunted back microlithic tool was considered to be Mesolithic in date, prompting the RCAHMW to suggest the cave was used in Mesolithic times and then reoccupied in more recent times. The other flints are described as waste flakes, the left of flint from the construction of flint implements, and the iron was described as an iron scoriae. The piece of bone is described as being flattened, 4 inches long and appears to have been shaped at one end into a rounded and blunt point.
It is clear the cave has been excavated but it is unclear how much sediment remains. The sediment at the entrance of the main cave is disturbed and is used as a sheep shelter, as is the entrance higher up. The small lower entrance may also be used by a small animal but it does not appear to have burrowed into the remaining sediment of that entrance. The previous survey considered the cave fill at the entrance to the main cave was unlikely to contain any furtehr4 archaeology.
References
- SZO10215 - National Trust Report: E Plunkett Dillon. 1986. National Trust Archaeological Survey, South West Gower Properties - Part One (unpublished).
- SZO2388 - Monograph: RCAHMW. 1976. R.C.A.H.M.W. Glamorgan Inventory VolI (1).
- SZO35682 - Photograph - black and white: John Latham. 01/07/1986. Thurba Head: Mewslade Cave. 89181.
- SZO50086 - National Trust Report: Philip Poucher. 2003/4. The South Gower Coastal Properties, Mewslade - Port Eynon, Pilton Green, Pitton Cross and Oxwich - The National Trust Archaeological Survey.
- SZO5383 - Monograph: E E Allen. 1948. Gower Caves, Swansea.
Designations
None Recorded
Other Statuses and References
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- HER/SMR Reference (External) (GGAT HER): 115w
- National Monuments Record Reference: OSSS48NW/12
- Nature Reserve (National)
- Site of Special Scientific Interest (Biological)
Associated Events
- ENA3026 - Field Survey, The South Gower Coastal Properties 2003/4, Mewslade - Port Eynon, Pilton Green, Pitton Cross and Oxwich
- ENA3027 - Field Survey, The South West Gower Properties Part I - The National trust Archaeological Survey 1986
Associated Finds
- FZO208 - ANIMAL REMAINS (Unknown date)
- FZO209 - LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Unknown date)
- FZO210 - MICROLITH (Unknown date)
Related Records
None Recorded