If your vision of caves is damp, dark, smelly, muddy holes, best to be avoided, then think again ... They can also be full of remarkable treasures that will only ever be found underground.
The South Peak Estate lies in the limestone area of the Peak District National Park and contains a variety of interesting underground features. These range from ‘fossil’ cave systems over half a million years old, to lead mines from the 17th and 18th centuries, to caves which are still being formed by underground rivers today.
Archaeologists have been fascinated by the South Peak caves since Victorian times, when excavations took place with pick and shovel in search of evidence of human occupation and use.
Over the years archaeological studies have revealed signs of Mesolithic and Romano-British life, as well as bones of reindeer, bison, ptarmigan and banded lemming. The caves have not however been fully excavated and there is still much more to discover in layers of undisturbed sediment, some of which could date back 500,000 years.
Pollen trapped in the cave sediment gives a fascinating insight into climate change. The passing of major events such as ice ages are indicated in the types of vegetation present, whilst the magnetic alignment of particles allows scientists to accurately date them.
Over the years these caves have become a safe haven for unusual wildlife including bats, badgers, moths and... the Derbyshire Caving Association (DCA)!
The National Trust work closely with local organisations like the DCA and the Crewe Climbing and Potholing Club to conserve the caves. Together they have drawn up a Cave Conservation Plan. There is already evidence that this conservation partnership has been effective; a recent DCA audit has shown that pure new calcite deposits are beginning to form on top of old muddy ones.
Did you know?
Deep within the caves particular species spend their entire life cycle out of the reach of light.
- Visit the South Peak estate
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