The Archaeology of Britain: An introduction from ... - waughfamily.ca

• 22 • Nicholas Barton
this period are an ulna from Sun Hole (Cheddar Gorge, Somerset) dating to 12,210±160 BP
(Table 2.2) and human remains from Gough’s Cave, which provide three dates on unconserved
bones ranging from 11,820±120 BP to 12,380±110 BP. The latter site also has a later inhumation
(Chapter 3).
While the few bones and teeth from Sun Hole offer only equivocal evidence of burial, no such
doubt exists over the Gough’s Cave finds, which represent a remarkable collection of skeletal
material intentionally deposited within the cave. The remains comprise at least three adults and
two children, aged about 11–13 years and 3–5 years respectively (Currant et al. 1989). Although
precise details are lacking on some of the original finds, recent work uncovered further human
material in a narrow fissure just inside the entrance. Convincing proof that this is probably part
of the original burial is provided by a series of refits between bones in the new and old collections.
From the associations and fresh condition of the bones, it was also clear that they had not been
subject to any major natural disturbance. A new approach to this material concerns the extraction
of ancient genetic material from bone collagen and dentine. The underlying hypothesis is that
one type of DNA (mtDNA) is inherited exclusively through the maternal line, and that the rate
of natural mutation from the parent mtDNA is predictable over time. Using Gough’s Cavern
teeth, Brian Sykes and colleagues at Oxford University are attempting to build a genetic profile
of this Lateglacial population. By estimating the accumulated number of mutations in mtDNA,
and comparing individual genetic sequences, they may be able to infer a link between present-day
Europeans and these individuals.
Results, so far inconclusive,
nonetheless produce grounds for
optimism.
Even though the bones of the
individuals appeared to be closely
grouped within the cave, there is no
evidence that they represented a
single collective inhumation. Rather
the remains seem to have been
incorporated within a midden
deposit consisting of occupation
debris of animal bones and flint,
bone, antler and ivory artefacts.
Further analysis of the human bones
revealed that the skeletons had been
treated in an extraordinary way prior
to deposition (Cook in Barton et al.
1991).
From microscopic analysis of
cut-marks and scrapes found on the
skulls (Figure 2.5), mandibles and
some of the post-cranial bones, it
could be demonstrated that these
had been inflicted after death by the
sharp edges of flint knives. The
Figure 2.5 Cut-marks on a human lower jaw bone from Gough’s Cave.
(Cheddar Gorge, Somerset).
Source: Courtesy of the Natural History Museum
position of the cut-marks shows that
the cadavers had been expertly
skinned and the joints dismembered