Archaeological Story

People have been venturing into Kents Cavern (or Kent's Hole as it was called before 1865) since the Stone Age. Scientific recordings of archaeology and geology has taken place for 200 years. 

Over 80,000 artefacts have been recovered from the caves and the secret to such a rich treasure trove of archaeology is down to the calcite or stalagmite that formed underground, creating thick floors concealing animal and human occupation, preserving a history of Ice Age life underneath. 

Stalagmite forms during warm intergracial periods.  Each Ice Age cycle leaves an occupational layer in the cave as life seeks shelter from the cold underground.  This becomes perfectly protected by the stalagmite floors accumulating over the top. There are two known stalagmite floors in the cave, the upper floor is about 12,500 years old and the second 400,000. A third floor from the end of a much earlier Ice Age has yet to be discovered.