7 minute read
Discoveries unearthed at ‘mammoth graveyard’ near Swindon
Quarry Products has supported a major archaeological project which has recently been televised on prime time television and attracted plenty of national press.
The programme named “Attenborough and the Mammoth Graveyard” was broadcast on BBC One on Thursday 30 December and showed Sir David Attenborough joining an archaeological dig uncovering Britain’s biggest mammoth discovery in almost 20 years.
In 2017 at a Hills gravel quarry near Swindon two amateur fossil hunters, Sally and Neville Hollingworth, found an extraordinary discovery of Ice Age mammoth remains and a stone ‘hand axe’ made by a Neanderthal.
In the programme, Sir David Attenborough joined biologist Professor Ben Garrod and a team of archaeologists and palaeontologists as they carefully excavated the site for more clues. As the team found more stone tools nearby they realised this could be a once in a generation discovery offering a unique window into a period of prehistory we know very little about.
What was discovered?
The remains of at least five Ice Age mammoths, including tusks, leg bones, ribs and vertebrae from two adults, two juveniles, and one infant, were discovered, with a number of stone tools, including a hand axe, made by Neanderthals found nearby.
Archaeologists believe that both the artefacts and mammoth remains date to around 210,000 – 220,000 years ago, towards the end of a warmer interglacial period when Britain was still occupied by Neanderthals.
Towards the end of this period, early humans abandoned Britain as temperatures dropped and the land was covered under ice.
Neville Hollingworth with excavated finds.
Sally Hollingworth with excavated finds.
Analysis has revealed that the bones belong to a species of Steppe mammoth, which predate the iconic Woolly mammoth, and may have been smaller and less hairy; although early Steppe mammoths were among the largest, with some standing up to 4m tall at the shoulder, the species shrank as the climate became colder. Some of the bones are now being examined for evidence of butchery.
Further evidence of Neanderthal activity was revealed on the site, including ‘scrapers’ – small flint tools that would have been used for cleaning fresh hides, as well as debris from making other unknown tools.
Excavations also recovered the remains of Steppe bison, brown bears, horse and hyena. Seeds, pollen and plant fossils, which showed that extinct types of trees and beetles lived around the site as well as more familiar species, like hornbeam were also recovered. The samples included dung beetles, which co-evolved with the Ice Age megafauna and whose droppings they used for food and shelter. Together, this evidence has created a snapshot of a long-lost habitat, and provides new clues about biodiversity and Neanderthal behaviour in Ice Age Britain.
Archaeologists excavating mammoth bones.
Credit: DigVentures.
What is a Steppe mammoth?
The Steppe mammoth is an extinct species of Elephantidae that ranged over most of northern Eurasia approximately 1.8 million-200,000 years ago. It evolved in Siberia from the Steppe and tundra elephants and the ancestor of the Woolly mammoth and Columbian mammoth. Populations of Steppe mammoth may have persisted in northern China and Mongolia as recently as 33,000 years ago. Although the Steppe mammoth was very large with a height of up to 4 metres (13 feet) tall at the shoulder and a body mass of up to 10 tonnes, the species shrank as the climate became colder.
The Steppe mammoth could grow to 4m (13ft)
Historic England
Mike Hill, Chief Executive said: “It has been wonderful to see the excitement and interest this has generated, from grandchildren to grandparents.”
Mike Hill, Chief Executive, holding a mammoth tooth.
Peter Andrew, Group Director – Quarry Products said: “Hills has a long-standing relationship with Sally and Neville Hollingworth who made the initial discovery, and we provided substantial resources towards making sure that the area remained accessible during the various phases of excavation.
“Having worked in the Cotswold Water Park area for many years, we are very familiar with archaeological finds, but this latest discovery has turned out to be quite unique. We have been amazed by the interest in the project and the results of the research which provides an insight into Britain’s Ice Age environment and the world as it was lived in by our closest human relatives.
“We are extremely proud of the contribution we have made to bring this great story to life. It was an honour and privilege to host Sir David Attenborough during the filming of the documentary.”
Peter Andrew holding a mammoth humerus bone.
Dr Neville Hollingworth and his wife Sally, who works as a Transport Administrator for Quarry Products, said: “Finding something so significant has been a real thrill, but even better than that is to see it resulting in a major archaeological excavation led by DigVentures, and a documentary presented by Sir David Attenborough. We couldn’t be more pleased that something we have discovered will be learned from and enjoyed by so many people.”
Sir David Attenborough (second left) with Peter Andrew, Group Director, Andrew Liddle, Divisional Director and Olly Thompson, Quarry Manager, all from Quarry Products.
Lisa Westcott Wilkins, Co-founder, DigVentures said: “Ultimately, this is a story about life in Britain’s Ice Age environment. The whole thing has been an incredible experience for our team, especially working with Sir David Attenborough and seeing the site through his eyes. The collaboration between the landowners, fossil hunters, experts, and documentary-makers has been phenomenal and we’re really looking forward to the ongoing research that will now be able to happen.”
Scientists examining a mammoth tusk. Credit: DigVentures
Exhibition
Some of the finds were displayed at Hills’ County Park office in Swindon where colleagues, shareholders, journalists and stakeholders were invited to see some of the artefacts and find out more about this important discovery.
The excavated items and display information were also featured at the ‘The Festival of Tomorrow’ public exhibition in Swindon on 25 and 26 February.
R Edwards, Englefield Estate said: “Thank you very much for allowing Finn and I to visit the exhibit. Finn had a brilliant time and Sally and Neville were great and really engaging.”
Sally and Neville Hollingworth showing the excavated finds to Daniel Coles, Assistant Account – Group.
R Jenkins, parish councillor said: “How kind of you to allow us to have a wonderful visit to meet two enthusiastic and knowledgeable people. Simply 'wonderful' is an understatement of how you have allowed the couple to investigate and dig for such historic artefacts. Well done!”
Pictured left to right: Gavin Caruana, Health and Safety Support Manager – Quarry Products, Ian and Lynn Hill, Sally Hollingworth, Dr Neville Hollingworth and Tony Hill.
G Tappern, parish councillor said: “It was a fantastic experience to see these items close up. A wonderful find.”
Karl Hooper, IT Project Coordinator - Group, visited the exhibition with his family.
J Hill, shareholder said: “Thank you for the photos and for arranging the visit, which was amazing and is still being talked about especially by Maisy and Tom.”
Children enjoyed seeing the unearthed discoveries at the exhibition.
‘Guess the mammoth bone weight’ competition
We recently ran an employee competition and the closest answer was 16.6 kg, guessed by Mark Akerman, LGV Driver, Purton Transport. The actual weight of the mammoth humerus bone is 17.1 kg so it was very close! The winning prize was a mammoth sized bar of chocolate.
Mark with his prize
