74 



These discoveries prompted further research in the same 

 direction, and two caves have since been opened in the same 

 escarpment of rock, but at a higher level, following the lie of 

 the beds, which dip at a considerable angle towards the River 

 Wye. These caves are both situated on the domain of Mr. 

 Bannerman, a neighbouring proprietor, who has prosecuted his 

 investigations into their history with praiseworthy zeal, and has 

 been rewarded by some interesting discoveries, though not as 

 yet of the extent or value of those yielded by Arthur's Cave. 



It was with a view to examine these bone-caves that the 

 Cotteswold Club assembled on the 19th June last. On their 

 arrival at Whitchurch, they found displayed in drawers for 

 their inspection a splendid array of teeth and bones from 

 Arthur's Cave, to which Mr. Bannekman had likewise contributed 

 the results of his excavations in the two caves on his property. 



Having thoroughly examined this interesting collection, the 

 party, under the guidance of Mr. Symonds, proceeded to 

 the caves, less than a mile distant, and most picturesquely 

 situated in a face of rock at a considerable elevation — 275 

 feet above the Wye — overlooking a scene of wooded hills of 

 great beauty. 



In Arthur's Cave the succession of deposits was as follows: — 

 1. Black earth, containing portions of two human Skeletons, 

 teeth and bones of Beaver and Bear, and coarse Pottery. 2. 

 An arenaceous stratified deposit, four or five feet thick, contain- 

 ing occasional rolled pebbles — and lastly, a floor of stalagmite, 

 from two to three feet thick, beneath which were found the 

 mammalian remains, together with the flint flakes which have 

 been already referred to. 



Arthur's Cave appeared to be pretty well cleared out, and the 

 workmen had discontinued their operations there; but at Mr. 

 Bannekman's caves explorations were still in progress. These 

 eaves presented a very similar succession of phenomena to those 

 of Arthur's Cave, with the exception that the arenaceous deposit 

 in the latter was largely replaced by a tenacious blue clay. 

 In Bannerman's Cave No. 2 (the middle cave) the following 

 sequence was noted: — 1. Superficial earth, with rude pottery. 



