| RefNo | MS/222/47 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Forty-second report of progress of excavations by William Pengelly and Edward Vivian, Torquay, to the British Association Kent's Cavern Committee |
| Creator | Pengelly; William (1812-1894); geologist |
| Vivian; Edward (1808–1893); science writer; poet |
| Date | 4 February 1869 |
| Description | Monthly report of the superintendents of excavation. They progress with excavations in the direction toward the lake, where the stalagmite continues to be 'crystalline, cellular, and hard'. They are being cautious with what material they are removing, as 'the upper surface of the stalagmite forms the floor of the [cul-de-sac] in which occur the numerous inscribed initials and dates', which they 'are anxious to preserve'. It is noted Mr MacEnery had 'bestowed the name "Cave of Inscriptions" to another branch of the cavern', therefore, they 'propose to call this cell the "Crypt of Dates"'.
The current sections being excavated have been of considerable interest in providing history for the '"Old Floor"' of the cavern. The deposits are described in descending order as follows:
1st stalagmite floor is seven and a half feet thick, containing bones and stones.
2nd an 'unoccupied space, about eight inches deep', that appears to continue 'under the stalagmite basin which the lake occupies'.
3rd Rock-like Breccia of unknown depth containing a 'considerable number of bones and teeth of the Cave-bear', with no trace of man.
It is noted there is 'a constant drip of water from the nether surface of the stalagmite' and from this phenomenon, they 'conclude that water is capable of forcing its way though thick stalagmite, and of taking with it carbonate of lime' solution, which is how fresh layers of stalagmite is formed. They determine the 'upper surface of the Breccia was originally in contact with the lower surface of the stalagmite', evident by 'the stones and bones still clinging to the latter', and that the unoccupied - or 'vacuity' floor layer - was produced through a stream of water washing away material. There is a further detailed description of each of the three layers provided and where they intersect in various parts of the Cavern. There is a concern water from the lake could burst through holes that the workmen are making. |
| Extent | 4p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA2162 | Pengelly; William (1812 - 1894); geologist | 1812 - 1894 |