Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
24 January 1999

The Cheddar Gorge in Somerset was created by enormous geological change over millennia. At the same time, caves were formed within the limestone walls, in which prehistoric people once sheltered. Time Team was invited by the Marquess of Bath, owner of one side of the gorge, to investigate Cooper's Hole to see if they could find evidence of Palaeolithic human activity. The diggers were faced with one of the most arduous digs in the series' history, in mud-filled tunnels that could be crawled through only with great difficulty.

The photograph shows what is known as a baton de commandment, a Palaeolithic object whose purpose is still unknown. However, on the Time Team programme, Phil Harding and the Natural History Museum's Andy Currant showed graphically (with plenty of 'belly bounce' from Andy!) that it could have been used with a rope to help control a wild horse – the rope would have gone through the hole in the baton, and the person trying to control the horse would have held on to the 'handle' of the implement. Phil and Andy also demonstrated that the baton would have been useless as a 'thong stropper' – one of its suggested uses. (Photo: Natural History Museum)

Iron-Age pottery found in the 1988 excavations (left) and Cheddar Gorge (centre) and a 3D animated reconstruction of Cooper's Hole by Steve Breeze (right).

Further reading

Fairweather Eden by Michael Pitts and Mark Roberts (Arrow, 1998) paperback £8.99
Although based on the amazing discoveries of Palaeolithic remains at Boxgrove in Sussex, this book also provides an introduction to the development of Stone-Age archaeology in Britain. Writing in an exciting, narrative style, the authors brilliantly capture the frustrations (as well as the excitement) of archaeological excavation.

In Search of Cheddar Man by Larry Barham et al. (Tempus, 1999) hardback £9.99
Reveals all about recent insights into the discoveries at Gough's Cave in the Cheddar Gorge. Tells the astonishing story of the DNA link between one of Britain's earliest humans and a Cheshire school teacher.

Prehistoric Europe, edited by Barry Cunliffe (Oxford University Press, 1994) paperback £13.99
The best overview of prehistoric Europe available. Each chapter is written by an expert in the field, but the authors have all worked together to provide a seamless history of Europe from 700,000 years ago to AD 700. Many colour and black-and-white photographs.

Stone Age Britain by Nicholas Barton (English Heritage/Batsford, 1997) paperback £15.99
Excellent, up-to-date introduction to major themes in Palaeolithic studies, such as the reconstruction of past environments, the peopling of Britain and the development of symbolic expression. Well illustrated and readable.

Websites

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TerraDat
http://www.terradat.co.uk
Nick Russill of TerraDat carried out ground-penetrating radar scanning at TT's digs at Thetford and Cheddar.

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