302 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 



a few further implements of similar type to those already published, and evidence 

 confirming the distribution of fauna observed in the excavations of 1924 and already 

 published. 



Excavations in the Pin Hole have now reached a point 60 ft. from the entrance. 

 The narrow passage connecting the outer and inner chamber has been completed and 

 work is in progress on the first section of the inner chamber. The deposits of cave- 

 earth in the length examined since July 1926 totalled an average depth of 14 ft. 

 The sections were dug to an average depth of 15 ft. 6 in., terminating in a narrow 

 fissure. The lowest 18 in. was composed of red sand, introduced by water and sterile 

 of animal or human relics. The observations in each section have confirmed those 

 made in the sections previously examined. 



The Upper Cave Earth, an average depth of 6 ft. 6 in., was sealed partly by breccia 

 and partly by stalagmite, broken through and disturbed in places to a depth of 

 1 ft. 6 in. along the eastern wall. Traces of human occupation were constant through- 

 out the deposit and included definite hearths at several points, artefacts of flint, bone 

 and ivory, and also numerous animal bones burnt and split, including several of 

 Rhinoceros. Implements of flint have not been plentiful, but those recovered are of 

 fine workmanship and include Aurignacian and Proto-Solutrean forms. 



Five small fragments of worked ivory found appear to be portions of a javelin, 

 of the classic Magdalenian type discovered in 1924. Two of these fragments form 

 parts of the same implement and have been united ; a third bears a similar engraved 

 pattern to that upon the 1924 example and confirms the nature of the object and 

 the fact that the upper level of the Upper Cave Earth is contemporary in time with the 

 Magdalenian period of France. Quartzite implements of Upper Mousterian type occur 

 sparingly at the junction of the Upper and Lower Cave Earth. The Lower Cave 

 Earth includes two definite implementiferous zones, exclusive of the Upper 

 Mousterian layer which surmounts it. These zones are each separated by a 

 stratum of fallen blocks of large size associated with a cold fauna. The two layers 

 of blocks have been constant throughout the whole portion of the cave examined 

 and are believed to be indicative of periods of intense cold. No artefacts have occurred 

 in either of them. The lowest stratum of blocks was in places cemented by breccia 

 and stalagmite. 



The implements consist of hand axes and trimmed flakes of quartzite and also split 

 bones and pieces of reindeer antler showing signs of use by man. 



The fauna recovered includes bones, teeth and antler of Irish Elk in addition to 

 the fauna already recorded, also skulls of several birds and fragments of four large 

 eggs, one of which is almost a complete specimen and resembles the egg of a goose. 



Ravencliffe Cave. 



A re-examination of tins cave, situated in Cressbrook Dale, was undertaken in 

 May by Mr. W. Storrs Fox and is still in progress. 



An undisturbed Pleistocene level has been proved and bones of Rhinoceros 

 Tichorinus and Bear recovered, also cut and split bones indicative of man's presence. 



Upon the platform outside the cave two flints were found, Upper Palaeolithic in 

 facies and associated with Rhinoceros. A layer of stalagmite three to four feet thick 

 is now in course of removal. 



Lathkill Dale. 



Early in the year a masked cave was discovered here by Major Harris of Ashford, 

 and, acting on Mr. Armstrong's advice and under his general supervision, Major Harris 

 has carefully excavated it. Cave-earth in two layers was discovered. The lower, 

 a stiff red loamy clay, contained a Pleistocene fauna and flakes of flint bearing signs 

 of use. No typical implements have been recovered, but Prof, the Abbe Breuil, who 

 inspected the cave in Slay, considers them to be Upper Palaeolithic in facies. Their 

 horizon is at present uncertain. 



The Upper Cave Earth yielded well-worked implements of flint, Neolithic or Bronze 

 Age in date. The crags in the vicinity of this cave were reconnoitred by Prof. Breuil 

 and Mr. Armstrong, and further masked caves located, an examination of which will 

 be undertaken in the near future. 



As Palaeolithic remains have not previously been recorded from this area of 

 Derbyshire, the results of the work in Lathkill Dale and Cressbrook Dale are 

 important. 



