Sherford Cave, Plymouth

A fissure into this previously unrecorded cave came to light during construction work at Sherford new town. The talus deposit within the fissure was observed to contain numerous bone fragments from a wide range of species. Within the cave, on the surface of the talus slope, there were further faunal remains including mammoth/elephant, rhinoceros and wolf, as well as smaller smaller mammals. The faunal assemblage is being studied by Professor Danielle Shreve of Bristol University. The bones have been provisionally dated to c. 60,000-20,000 years ago. AC archaeology provided staff with confined spaces training and experience of caving to carry out the excavation and recording of the site.