| RefNo | MS/222/45 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Fortieth report of progress of excavations by William Pengelly, Torquay, to the British Association Kent's Cavern Committee |
| Creator | Pengelly; William (1812-1894); geologist |
| Date | 3 December 1868 |
| Description | Monthly report of the superintendents of excavation. They are still occupied with the South-West Chamber. The stalagmite floor is several feet thick with a thread of cave-earth amongst the deposit - beneath this floor is the rock-like breccia. A summary of the layout of the Cavern is detailed, and is declared as per previous reports. The 'superintendents noticed' that when in 'the Bear's Den - or [?] branch of the Western series - they could distinctly hear the operations of the workmen in the South-West Chamber - or extreme branch of the Eastern series'. From this, the superintendents actioned a series of experiments to ascertain whether certain sounds made in 'one branch could be heard in the other'. The results have urged them to consider making a passage between the two chambers - 'at present it is possible to carry on a conversation through the partition' - and suggest it would provide greater accessibility. Comments are made on how the passage would make sense of Mr MacEnery's observation that the deposits and fossils from the Bear's Den [Western series] match those of the South-West Chamber [Eastern series]: rock-like breccia which contained remains of bears, but no typical cave-earth, or traces of hyena, elephant, and rhinoceros.
In preparation of the bones being forwarded to Mr Boyd Dawkins, the Secretary is still conducting an examination of the entire collection. From this, a 'small bone "harpoon"' was found under the same condition as 'the bone needle was found', which was covered by stalagmite - as per the thirty-eighth report. The harpoon is barbed on one side, and an outline tracing is provided (1) and (2). The implement is believed to have been found on 7 March 1867, in the vestibule, in the 'uppermost "foot-level" of Cave-Earth, beneath the "Black Band"', which was covered by the stalagmite floor. Mention of 'British and Romano [?]'. With an appended note: '"Mr Vivian is from home. WP"'. |
| Extent | 3p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA2162 | Pengelly; William (1812 - 1894); geologist | 1812 - 1894 |
| NA6232 | Dawkins; Sir; William Boyd (1837 - 1929) | 1837 - 1929 |