What began as a casual exploration during a family holiday has led to a significant archaeological discovery, with researchers suggesting the unearthed ancient bones could potentially rewrite history. The find was made by John Bolton, who was intrigued by a cave located beneath a castle.
"It was by accident really," Bolton stated, describing the cave as "huge" and unlike others he had encountered in the UK. His initial interest was sparked by the cave's proximity to the castle. Upon closer inspection, he noticed an old calcite floor, which suggested minimal disturbance in the past. This observation led him to visit the Tenby museum, where he discovered a small collection of stone tools originating from the same cave.
"I thought, if that's here, [then] the paleolithic - which we're very interested in - might be deeper," Bolton explained. He subsequently spent years encouraging Rob, who eventually agreed to explore the cave with him.
The excavation has yielded a variety of ancient materials, including bone fragments and pottery shards. Among the significant finds is a large woolly rhino tooth, suggesting the presence of prehistoric megafauna in the area. The recovered artifacts, including stone tools and pottery, offer a glimpse into the lives of early human inhabitants.
Researchers are now undertaking further analysis of the bones and artifacts to determine their age and significance. The discovery holds the potential to provide new insights into the Paleolithic era and human settlement in the region. The team hopes that further investigation will reveal more about the ancient environment and the species that inhabited it.
