Paviland Cave, Gower, South Wales
N 51° 33.007 W 004° 15.336
30U E 412942 N 5711749
Paviland or Goat's Hole cave is of significant archaelogical interest. The remains of a 26,000 b.p. skeleton were found here in 1823.
Waymark Code: WM7FD
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/11/2006
Published By:
TVN
Views: 151
In 1823, the first recorded discovery of fossil human remains took place at Goat’s Hole Cave in Paviland on the Gower peninsula of South Wales. The excavator, Rev. William Buckland initially thought that it was the remains of a woman, probably of a Roman prostitute or witch. It was later discovered that they were the remains of a man, but the name "Red Lady of Paviland" is still used.
The remains were discovered buried in red clay in the cave. It was the first evidence of a ritual burial where a young man was buried and covered in red ochre and accompanied by grave goods mad out of bone, antler, and ivory. The remains date back to about 26,000 b.p. Paviland is the richest Early Upper Paleolithic site in the British Isles and is the only ceremonial burial of the Aurignacian age. This site, with over 40 radiocarbon dates, holds our understanding of the chronology of human activity and settlement from about 30,000 - 21,000 years ago.
The Red Lady of Paviland was buried with ivory ornaments and perforated sea-shell necklaces among other items.
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Car Park N51 33.695 W004 14.560
Start of Footpath N51 33.672 W004 14.545
WARNING. To reach the cave there is a short traverse. However the climbing is easy on sound rock. Not friendly to children or animals.