'Palaeontological wonders' uncovered in Swindon's 'mammoth graveyard'
A new dig's been taking place at the Hills Quarry Products site near Swindon
Last updated 23rd Jul 2024
If you dig just a little deeper into the ground, you just might bump into something you never even knew was below your feet - and that's exactly what a team in Swindon have been getting up to this month over at the Hills Quarry Products site - just north of the town.
The project has been led by a number of 'passionate amateur palaeontologists', and kicked off on July 15th - when Sally and Dr Neville Hollingworth got to work uncovering a number of exciting discoveries in the first few days alone.
Since the start of the dig, they've already found a Neanderthal Hand Axe, Mammoth Tooth, Rib, Pelvic bone and Skull fragments – plus a Nautilus and even a Shark tooth!
They say that more than 100 student volunteers from 18 universities across the country - and the wider Palaeontological world will be assisting with the dig, until it finishes next month - on August 5th.
Project lead Sally Hollingworth said: “We are so excited to be back on the site which has previously yielded remains of at least five Ice Age Mammoths and a number of stone tools made by Neanderthals. From day one of this dig we’ve already made some amazing discoveries. Who knows what we might find for the rest of the dig!”
“We’ve been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm and hard work the small army of unpaid volunteers has shown, plus the exceptional support from Hills Quarry Products, who have facilitated and supported this and the two previous digs. The site is not open to members of the public - but look out for updates on the dig via social media using our hashtag #TuskForce"
They have revealed that the remains found at the site date back to around 210,000 - 220,000 years ago, when the land was still occupied by the Neanderthals - before it was once again covered in ice.
These artefacts may help scientists discover how these Neanderthals interacted with the mammoths - and those behind the dig have called this discovery 'one that has enormous value for understanding of Neanderthal behaviour, not just in Britain - but across Europe'.
You can find out more about the 'Mammoth Graveyard' on the Hills Quarry Products website.