| RefNo | MS/222/51 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Forty-sixth report of progress of excavations by William Pengelly, Torquay, to the British Association Kent's Cavern Committee |
| Creator | Pengelly; William (1812-1894); geologist |
| Date | 8 June 1869 |
| Description | Monthly report of the superintendents of excavation. They completed the excavation of the Water Gallery on 15 May. On 17 May, they commenced with the exploration of a narrow gallery off of the eastern wall of the Lecture Hall. It is noted Mr MacEnery had referred to this gallery as: '"South Sally Port"'. The deposits from this gallery are 'utterly unlike those with which we have recently and for many months seen'. The floor layers are described as: First (uppermost), black mould; second, stalagmite floor; and third, the typical cave-earth. The black mould differs from that found elsewhere, as it has a mix of red loam in it. Mr MacEnery believed it was due to 'recent burrowing animals' that dug some of the cave-earth up through the layers. However, it is noted that Mr MacEnery had not excavated through the stalagmite floor.
The black mould layer has yielded: bones and teeth from sheep, fox, hog, and bird; fragments of bone, gnawed bone, marine shells, pottery, beach shells, and a molar of rhinoceros tichorhinus. Another rhinoceros molar was found in the stalagmite floor, which they found noteworthy due to the extinct animals finding their way into the cavern up until the close of the stalagmite floor era (not just the cave-earth era). 'Two good white flint flakes were found in the Cave-Earth during May)
With an addendum 'Mr Vivian is from home'. |
| Extent | 3p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA2162 | Pengelly; William (1812 - 1894); geologist | 1812 - 1894 |