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HER Number: | MDV124153 |
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Name: | Kent's Cavern, Ilsham Road, Torquay |
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Summary
A limestone solution cave with a sequence of deposits from the lower Palaeolithic to the post-prehistoric period 350,000 BP - AD 400. The Palaeolithic cave deposits are the most important known in Britain: artefacts of at least three distinct palaeolithic horizons occur between the upper and lower stalagmite floors, or in stratigraphically equivalent levels.
Location
Grid Reference: | SX 934 641 |
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Map Sheet: | SX96SW |
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Admin Area | Torbay |
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Civil Parish | Torbay |
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District | Torbay |
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Ecclesiastical Parish | ST.MARYCHURCH |
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Protected Status
Other References/Statuses
Monument Type(s) and Dates
- CAVE (Lower Palaeolithic to Roman - 500000 BC to 409 AD) + Sci.Date
Full description
Exeter Archaeology, Archaeological Recording on the site of the New Visitor Centre and Restaurant at Kents Cavern, Torquay, Devon (* Torbay Report - Interim/Research/Specialist). SDV362415.
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Torbay HER record (SMR record). SDV361984.
Kent's Cavern, located on the west side of Lincombe Hill, is a very large solution cave within a more extensive limestone rift system; the cave has two entrances which open onto a flat terrace platform halfway up the hill, looking west over Ilsham Valley, which now contains the modern frontage of the show cave. The cave interior consists of a series of large galleries near the entrances, notably the 'vestibule' and the 'great chamber', where many of the archaeological discoveries have been made; artefacts also occur in deposits of the 'high level' near the back of the cave. In addition to the two existing entrances, further openings provided access to the cave in earlier periods. These include the choked passages of the 'sally ports', to the south of the present entrances, and, at one of the eastern extremities of the cave, a rising passage from the high level chamber, which is considered to connect with the surface.
The first archaeological investigations started about 1824 under Macenery. In 1864 William Pengelly and friends commenced excavations on a scientific basis, discovering flint implements and the remains of extinct animals; further excavations were undertaken in 1865 under the auspices of the British Association and continued until 1880. This cavern was the first such solution cave to be properly excavated, and opened up the study of the early prehistoric period, numerous important finds being made.
The excavations established that the cave contained a long sequence of deposits from the lower palaeolithic to the post-prehistoric period - by far the most important known extant Palaeolithic cave deposits in Britain. Within the sequence are two major stalagmite floors providing dating evidence for the archaeological contexts: the upper floor seals material more than 10,000 years old, while the lower one seals deposits dating from 350,000 BP. Above and within the upper floor are post-palaeolithic finds.
Artefacts of at least three distinct palaeolithic horizons occur between the upper and lower stalagmite floors or in stratigraphically equivalent levels. These include bone, antler and lithic artefacts associated with human remains, now radiocarbon dated to 31,000 years ago, making them the earliest anatomically modern humans in Europe; there are also significant concentrations of middle palaeolithic finds probably dating from between 90,000 and 35,000 years ago. Beneath the lower floor are lithic tools of lower palaeolithic type which are by definition some of the earliest artefactual evidence in Britain. Faunal remains are prolific throughout the cave deposits, enabling a reconstruction of climatic changes through a number of glacial/interglacial cycles from the middle pleistocene onwards.
Although the cave was extensively explored in the 19th and 20th centuries by William Pengelly and then by the Torquay Natural History Society, considerable areas of undisturbed deposit still exist for future investigation, these include stratified deposits from within the cave, near the entrances, in the great chamber and the vestibule, and all remaining deposits within the present cave system. Outside, there are extensive deposits making up the present talus and entrance platform in front of the cave.
Most finds are either in Torquay Museum, or the Natural History Museum London.
Prehistoric deer remains discussed by lister (lister).
Uncalibrated radiocarbon dates of 8070 + 5360 bp produced by oxa-1786 + oxa-1787 (chamberlain).
Smc granted for topographic and sediment survey (doe).
Smc granted for sediment and speleothem sampling as part of a research strategy (doe).
Susan Pearce lists all the finds with descriptions and measurements in bronze age metalwork of SW Britain (Pearce).
The most up to date account of the site and a reconsideration of the stratigraphy is given by campbell and garth sampson (1971). Copy in parish file.
An archaeological evaluation in advance of the new visitor centre was undertaken in April/May 2002. An evaluation carried out before the construction of the new visitor centre. Two trenches 1: 2mx2m; and 2: 3mx3m, revealed that the area comprised substantial made ground of 19th/20th century dumping. No redeposited cave deposits were found that could be attributed to the 19th century invetsigations. However such deposits were used as hardcore for the tarmac surface outside the gift shop suggesting a 20th century stockpile for reuse. Further four pottery sherds from four Roman pottery vessels and a nail cleaner were found in unstratified/19th century contexts. (EA Project 4631, 2003)
Pengelly, W., 1884, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, 16 (1884) pp. 198-429 (Article in Serial). SDV362708.
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Ordnance Survey, 1952, OS Archaeological Observations in Torquay (Personal Comment). SDV362060.
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Pearce, S.M., 1979, Proceedings of the Devon Archaeology Society, 37 (1979) p.139 (Article in Serial). SDV362709.
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Silvester, R.J., 1979, The Relationship of First Millennium Settlement to the Upland Areas of the South-West, 37 (1979) pp.177,183 (Article in Serial). SDV362711.
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Anon, 1989-90, Transactions of the Torquay Natural History Society, XX part IV (1989-90) p.208 (Article in Serial). SDV362717.
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Reed, S. J., 2002, Archaeological Evaluation at the Proposed Site of a New Visitor Centre Kents Cavern, Torquay (* Torbay Report - Interim/Research/Specialist). SDV362387.
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<1> Mantell, G.A., 1850, Archaeological Journal, p.340-1 (Article in Serial). SDV362680.
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<2> Pengelly, W., 1868, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.407-414 (Article in Serial). SDV362681.
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<3> Pengelly, W., 1868, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.468-522 (Article in Serial). SDV362682.
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<4> Pengelly, W., 1869, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.191-482 (Article in Serial). SDV362683.
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<5> Ormerod, G.W., 1869, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.79-80 (Article in Serial). SDV362684.
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<6> Pengelly, W., 1869, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.483-494 (Article in Serial). SDV362685.
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<7> Pengelly, W., 1871, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.467-490 (Article in Serial). SDV362686.
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<8> Pengelly, W., 1872, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.165-179 (Article in Serial). SDV362687.
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<9> Pengelly, W., 1875, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.282-324 (Article in Serial). SDV362688.
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<10> Pengelly, W., 1875, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.246-260 (Article in Serial). SDV362689.
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<11> Pengelly, W., 1876, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.167-244 (Article in Serial). SDV362690.
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<12> Pengelly, W., 1877, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.446-8 (Article in Serial). SDV362691.
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<13> Pengelly W., 1878, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, pp.141-81; 619-29 (Article in Serial). SDV362692.
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<14> Pengelly, W., 1879, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.538-48 (Article in Serial). SDV362693.
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<15> Pengelly, W., 1880, Notes on Recent Notices of the Geology and Palaeontology of Devonshire -Part VII, p.592-661 (Article in Serial). SDV362694.
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<16> Pengelly, W., 1881, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.369-401 (Article in Serial). SDV362695.
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<17> Pengelly, W., 1882, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, pp.664-9; 683-5; 687-94 (Article in Serial). SDV362696.
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<18> Pengelly, W., 1883, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.478-486 (Article in Serial). SDV362697.
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<19> Pengelly W., 1884, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.481-488 (Article in Serial). SDV362698.
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<20> Pengelly, W., 1884, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.775-824 (Article in Serial). SDV362699.
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<21> Pengelly, W., 1885, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.425-449 (Article in Serial). SDV362700.
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<22> Pengelly, W., 1886, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.506 (Article in Serial). SDV362701.
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<23> Evans, J., 1881, Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland (Monograph). SDV362704.
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<24> Burnard, R., 1906, Victoria County History, p.341-3 (Monograph). SDV362540.
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<25> Julian, H.F., 1913, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.423-444 (Article in Serial). SDV362674.
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<26> Julian, H.F., 1918, Transactions of the Devonshire Association, p.258-267 (Article in Serial). SDV362675.
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<27> Garrod, D.A.E., 1926, The Upper Palaeolithic Age in Britain (Monograph). SDV362526.
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<28> Anon, 1929-32, Flint Tools, 1 (1929-32) p.143 (Article in Serial). SDV362703.
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<29> Peacock, D.P.S., 1969, Antiquaries Journal, p.58, fig.1 (Article in Serial). SDV362679.
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<30> Grinsell, L., 1970, Discovering Regional Archaeology: South West England, p.29 (Monograph). SDV362673.
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<31> Campbell, J.B. + Garth Sampson, C., 1971, A New Analysis of Kents Cavern, Devonshire, England (Article in Serial). SDV362677.
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<32> Collcut, S.N., 1977, A Review of the Situation concerning the Quarternary (Un-published). SDV362676.
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<32> Bonsall, C., 1977, Gazetteer of Upper Palaeolithic Sites, p.425 (Monograph). SDV362702.
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<34> Jacobi, R.M., 1979, Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society, p.48, fig.1 (Article in Serial). SDV362678.
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<35> Pearce, S.M., 1983, Bronze Age Metalwork of SW Britain, p.456-7 (Monograph). SDV362614.
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<36> Lister, A., 1985-6, Transactions of the Torquay Natural History Society, XIX part IV (1985-6) p.189-98 (Article in Serial). SDV362706.
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<37> Berridge, P., 1986-7, Transactions of the Torquay Natural History Society, XX part I (1986-7) p.6-7 (Article in Serial). SDV362705.
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<38> Chamberlain, A., 1996, Antiquity, p.951 (Article in Serial). SDV362707.
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Sources / Further Reading
SDV361984 | SMR record: Torbay HER record. |
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SDV362060 | Personal Comment: Ordnance Survey. 1952. OS Archaeological Observations in Torquay. |
SDV362387 | * Torbay Report - Interim/Research/Specialist: Reed, S. J.. 2002. Archaeological Evaluation at the Proposed Site of a New Visitor Centre Kents Cavern, Torquay. Exeter Archaeology. 2.39. Digital. |
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| Linked documents:1 |
SDV362415 | * Torbay Report - Interim/Research/Specialist: Exeter Archaeology. Archaeological Recording on the site of the New Visitor Centre and Restaurant at Kents Cavern, Torquay, Devon. . 05.43. |
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SDV362708 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1884. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 16. 16 (1884) pp. 198-429. |
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SDV362709 | Article in Serial: Pearce, S.M.. 1979. Proceedings of the Devon Archaeology Society. . 37. 37 (1979) p.139. |
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SDV362711 | Article in Serial: Silvester, R.J.. 1979. The Relationship of First Millennium Settlement to the Upland Areas of the South-West. Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society. 37. 37 (1979) pp.177,183. |
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SDV362717 | Article in Serial: Anon. 1989-90. Transactions of the Torquay Natural History Society. . XX part IV. XX part IV (1989-90) p.208. |
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SDV362680 | Article in Serial: Mantell, G.A.. 1850. Archaeological Journal. . 7. p.340-1. |
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SDV362681 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1868. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 2 part 2. p.407-414. |
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SDV362682 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1868. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 2 part 2. p.468-522. |
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SDV362683 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1869. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 3. p.191-482. |
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SDV362684 | Article in Serial: Ormerod, G.W.. 1869. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 3(1869)79-80. p.79-80. |
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SDV362685 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1869. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 3. p.483-494. |
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SDV362686 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1871. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 4 part 2. p.467-490. |
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SDV362687 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1872. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 5. p.165-179. |
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SDV362688 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1875. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 7. p.282-324. |
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SDV362689 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1875. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 7. p.246-260. |
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SDV362690 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1876. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 8. p.167-244. |
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SDV362691 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1877. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 9. p.446-8. |
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SDV362692 | Article in Serial: Pengelly W.. 1878. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 10. pp.141-81; 619-29. |
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SDV362693 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1879. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 11. p.538-48. |
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SDV362694 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1880. Notes on Recent Notices of the Geology and Palaeontology of Devonshire -Part VII. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 12. Digital. p.592-661. |
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SDV362695 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1881. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 13. p.369-401. |
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SDV362696 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1882. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 14. pp.664-9; 683-5; 687-94. |
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SDV362697 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1883. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 15. p.478-486. |
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SDV362698 | Article in Serial: Pengelly W.. 1884. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 16. p.481-488. |
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SDV362699 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1884. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 16. p.775-824. |
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SDV362700 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1885. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 17. p.425-449. |
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SDV362701 | Article in Serial: Pengelly, W.. 1886. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 18. p.506. |
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SDV362704 | Monograph: Evans, J.. 1881. Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland. . |
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SDV362540 | Monograph: Burnard, R.. 1906. Victoria County History. . Devon: Part 1. p.341-3. |
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SDV362674 | Article in Serial: Julian, H.F.. 1913. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 45. p.423-444. |
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SDV362675 | Article in Serial: Julian, H.F.. 1918. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. . 50. p.258-267. |
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SDV362526 | Monograph: Garrod, D.A.E.. 1926. The Upper Palaeolithic Age in Britain. . |
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SDV362703 | Article in Serial: Anon. 1929-32. Flint Tools. Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Exploration Society. 1. 1 (1929-32) p.143. |
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SDV362679 | Article in Serial: Peacock, D.P.S.. 1969. Antiquaries Journal. . 49. p.58, fig.1. |
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SDV362673 | Monograph: Grinsell, L.. 1970. Discovering Regional Archaeology: South West England. . p.29. |
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SDV362677 | Article in Serial: Campbell, J.B. + Garth Sampson, C.. 1971. A New Analysis of Kents Cavern, Devonshire, England. . |
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SDV362676 | Un-published: Collcut, S.N.. 1977. A Review of the Situation concerning the Quarternary. |
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SDV362702 | Monograph: Bonsall, C.. 1977. Gazetteer of Upper Palaeolithic Sites. p.425. |
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SDV362678 | Article in Serial: Jacobi, R.M.. 1979. Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society. . 37. p.48, fig.1. |
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SDV362614 | Monograph: Pearce, S.M.. 1983. Bronze Age Metalwork of SW Britain. p.456-7. |
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SDV362706 | Article in Serial: Lister, A.. 1985-6. Transactions of the Torquay Natural History Society. . XIX part IV. XIX part IV (1985-6) p.189-98. |
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SDV362705 | Article in Serial: Berridge, P.. 1986-7. Transactions of the Torquay Natural History Society. . XX part I. XX part I (1986-7) p.6-7. |
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SDV362707 | Article in Serial: Chamberlain, A.. 1996. Antiquity. . 70. p.951. |
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Associated Monuments
MDV124162 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: Breccia (Monument) |
MDV124158 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: Cave Earth (Monument) |
MDV124181 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: Cave of Rodentia (Monument) |
MDV124188 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: Clinnick's Gallery (Monument) |
MDV124157 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: Granular Stalgmite (Monument) |
MDV124195 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: Matthew's Passage (Monument) |
MDV124178 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: Smerdon's Passage (Monument) |
MDV124164 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: Southwest Chamber East (Monument) |
MDV124173 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: Southwest Chamber North (Monument) |
MDV124156 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: Southwest Chamber West (Monument) |
MDV124193 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Alcove (Monument) |
MDV124196 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Bear's Den (Monument) |
MDV124160 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Black Mould (Monument) |
MDV124190 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Cave of Inscriptions (Monument) |
MDV124182 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Charcoal Cave (Monument) |
MDV124192 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Great Oven (Monument) |
MDV124194 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Labyrinth (Monument) |
MDV124174 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Lake (Monument) |
MDV124165 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Lecture Hall (Monument) |
MDV124184 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Long Arcade (Monument) |
MDV124177 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The North Sally Port (Monument) |
MDV124179 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Sloping Chamber (Monument) |
MDV124176 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The South Sally Port (Monument) |
MDV124198 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Swallow Gallery (Monument) |
MDV124197 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Tortuous Gallery (Monument) |
MDV124199 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Undervault (Monument) |
MDV124175 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Water Gallery (Monument) |
MDV124180 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: The Wolf's Cave (Monument) |
MDV124185 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern: Underhay's Gallery (Monument) |
MDV124191 | Parent of: Kent's Cavern:The High Level Chamber (Monument) |
MDV9683 | Related to: Kents Cavern, Torbay (Monument) |
MDV124201 | Related to: Kent's Cavern: The Rocky Chamber (Monument) |
Associated Finds
- FDV7073 - HANDAXE (Lower Palaeolithic to Upper Palaeolithic - 500000 BC to 10001 BC)
Associated Events
- EDV7748 - Publication referencing Kent's Cavern -1970
- EDV7749 - Site Visit by OS surveyors - 13/11/1952
- EDV7750 - E M Alexander's Interpretation of Macenery's work -1963
- EDV7752 - Pengelly's Third Excavation in 1874
- EDV7753 - Publication by the Rev. Ellis - 15/vii/1897
- EDV7927 - Handover of Handaxe to Torquay Museum from Croydon Natural History Society -1989
- EDV7937 - Archaeological Evaluation on the New Visitor Centre Site - 2002
- EDV7966 - Visitor Centre site, Kents Cavern, Torquay
Date Last Edited: | Feb 16 2022 11:28AM |
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