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Archaeologists working in the Yorkshire Dales have made an intriguing discovery of the remains of an extinct breed of Bronze Age cattle in a cave. The team, in collaboration with cave explorers, stumbled upon the remnants of an auroch while conducting surveys in various caverns and sinkholes near Ingleborough. Alongside this finding, they also uncovered signs indicating that the area served as a burial ground for humans during the Neolithic period. These revelations offer valuable insights into the historical use of the caves by ancient inhabitants and farmers in the region.
Aurochs, the wild ancestors of modern cattle, once roamed across Europe before facing extinction in the 17th Century due to habitat loss and hunting pressures. The Ingleborough Cave Archaeology Project, which forms part of a larger £3m initiative supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, aims to safeguard the future of upland commons in the Yorkshire Dales, Dartmoor, the Lake District, and the Shropshire Hills. It underscores the crucial role played by cavers in unearthing subterranean histories, with certain cave locations necessitating specialized skills for access.
Rick Peterson, a caving archaeologist from the University of Central Lancashire, emphasized the pivotal role of local cavers in the discovery of archaeological artifacts within caves. Local cavers are often the first to encounter such finds owing to their ability to navigate the challenging cave systems. This collaborative effort ensures that any archaeological discoveries made during recreational caving expeditions are formally recorded and documented for posterity. In addition to investigating the history of Ingleborough, the project also focuses on engaging modern-day farmers in sustainable land management practices.
Ingleborough stands out as one of the few remaining places in England where traditional “commoning” practices persist, with a small number of farmers maintaining rights to graze sheep on the land dating back to the Magna Carta. Project officer Claire Braeburn emphasized the historical significance of Ingleborough as common land and sought to uncover evidence of early farming practices on the fells. Given the dwindling expanse of common land in England, the project underscores the importance of preserving ancient agricultural traditions to prevent their loss over time. Through these endeavors, a deeper understanding of human interactions with the land and the maintenance of biodiversity is achieved, underscoring the need to safeguard age-old practices before they vanish forever
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