|
Near Settle there is an interesting number of small caves, two of which are worth a mention. Victoria Cave has a large entrance in Attermire Scar and is so named because it's inner chamber was discovered in 1837, the year of Queen Victoria's coronation. Bones dating back 130,000 years include elephants, rhinos and hyenas which inhabited the British Isles during the last interglacial period when the climate was warmer than it is today. The cave was inhabited by people 11,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age and archaeological digs have revealed Stone Age tools and weapons and the cave continued to be used by people until the Roman occupation with pottery and bronze coins being found. Because of the sensitive nature of the site visitors to Victoria Cave are requested not to cross the barrier just inside the entrance. Nearby is a small cave worth a look. Not far away is Langcliffe Scar and Jubilee Cave, a site of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Achaeological Areas Act, 1979. There is evidence that Jubilee Cave was inhabited by Palaeolicthic people as long as 400,000 years ago during the interglacial periods. |
 Victoria Cave, Attermire Scar |
 Looking out of Victoria Cave |
 Me at Victoria Cave |
 Barrier to protect archaelogical remains |
 Small cave near Victoria Cave |
 Me in the small cave |
 Jubilee Cave |
 Looking out of Jubilee Cave |
 Me in Jubilee Cave |
BACK